Angelo gave him an affectionate smile. ``Mr. Skyros too smart a fellow want to get rid of me,'' he said. ``It's O. K., Denny, everything's O. K. Ain't it, Mr. Skyros?''

Oh, God, the name repeated over and over, anybody to hear -- Not being a fool, Mr. Skyros knew why. But aside from everything else, it would scarcely be pleasant to have dealings with one who was nominally an underling and actually held -- you could say -- the whip hand. And all because of Domokous! If Mr. Skyros had dreamed of all the trouble that young man would eventually cause --

Of course, there was another factor. Angie worth his weight in gold right now, but these users, they sometimes went down fast. Who knew, Angie might not last long. The sweat broke out on Mr. Skyros' forehead as he realized he had been actually thinking -- hoping -- planning -- perhaps --

Good God above, had not Domokous been enough?

He patted Angelo's thin shoulder paternally. ``Now you don't want to go talking that way,'' he said. ``Sure, sure, you're the one take over for Pretty, soon as I get the supply, get started up again, isn't it? You don't need worry, Angelo. I tell you, I know how it is with you, my friend, I sympathize, and I'll make it a special point -- a special favor -- get in touch, and get some stuff just for you. I don't know if I can manage it tonight or tomorrow, but I'll try my best, my friend. You see, you got to remember, we all got schedules, like any business! My man, he wonn't be around a little while, he just fixed me up with this stuff they took out of the Elite. It's awkward, you see that, isn't it?''