Part 2 (1/2)
”Circumstances,” Rick corrected autoht JANIG hadn't been able to get our apore with e coe back catches theet here before you, already two days now”
”Two days!” Scotty exclai?”
Chahda bowed ”Scotty, please to be speckfull You now speak to Raman Sunda, salesman of cloths”
”I'll show proper speck,” Scotty said with a grin ”Do you mean clothes?”
”Not clothes Cloths Tax-tills”
”Textiles,” Zircon boomed ”Chahda, what on earth does a Hindu textile sales Briotti and Shannon?”
”Plenty do with, Professor In this country is plenty Hindus like me
Many sell tax-tills So I travel, and listen Yes?”
Rick still didn't get it ”But why, Chahda?”
”We face fact you like so much, Rick Okay? This is country of brown-skinned people, like o alone to Davao, on island of Mindanao Is big city, says in 'Al, so my friends here, they send me to friend in Davao He helps me meet people who can maybe help some more Okay?”
”I should have known,” Rick said with adle”
Chahda winked ”Aht
You coood I stay there, too We not knowing each other for little while, I think That is why I coives me to open many doors Better I work alone for now”
Scotty asked, ”How much do you know about our friends' disappearance, Chahda?”
The Hindu boy launched into a concise and rapid summary Rick wasn't surprised to find that Chahda knew everything they had found out
”You never fail to amaze me,” Zircon boomed
Rick went to his suitcase and drew out the unit of the Megabuck network he had made for Barby He explained its operation to Chahda, who promptly slid it under his turban where no one could see it
”Sahib Brant plenty smart to hty scientist!” He ducked Rick's return swing
Dr Zircon had gone to his own suitcase He returned with his pocket-size wire recorder and handed it to Chahda ”I brought this to record conversations in other languages I think youtalk than we could, Chahda It will record for an hour on a single spool”
Chahda took the gadget and checked its operation Rick was aured it out in so less than a minute, and put it casually in his coat pocket
”We meet in Davao,” Chahda said He shook hands all around, then paused at the door ”Please, you good friends I see you worry plenty We find Tony and Dr Shannon You see” He opened the door and was gone
Rick breathed a sigh of relief ”I feel better,” he stated ”Just seeing hiree,” Zircon said, ”and so does Scotty Noill do a little sight-seeing I haven't been in don Manila for twenty years We'll only worry and fret if we stay in this hotel rooh the old walled city, then across the Pasig River and into Manila proper They inspected the Escolta, principal street in the shopping area, then headed for Quiapo Square to see the great cathedral and the shops Traffic was heavy, so they paid the taxi driver and got out and walked