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           "Marullo?"

           "Yeah.Iwasacrossthestreet."

           Ethanglancedattheimmaculatehands.Onthethirdfingerofthelefthandhesawabigcat’seyesetinagoldring.

           Thestrangersawtheglance."Notastick-up,"hesaid."Imetafriendofyourslastnight."

           "Yes?"

           "Mrs.Young-Hunt.MargieYoung-Hunt."

           "Oh?"

           Ethancouldfeeltherestlesssniffingofthestranger’smind,searchingforanopening,forabondonwhichtobuildanassociation.

           "Nicekid.Shegaveyouabigbuild-up.That’swhyIthought—Myname’sBiggers.IcoverthisterritoryforB.B.D.andD."

           "WebuyfromWaylands."

           "Iknowyoudo.That’swhyI’mhere.Thoughtyoumightliketospreaditoutalittle.We’renewinthisdistrict.Buildingupfast.Havetomakesomeconcessionstogetafootinthedoor.Itwouldpayyoutotakeadvantageofthat."

           "You’dhavetoseeMr.Marulloaboutthat.He’salwayshadadealwithWaylands."

           Thevoicedidn’tlowerbutitstonebecameconfidential."Youdotheordering?"