Volanon said: "Why should I listen to you?"
O'Mara detected a note of doubt in his voice. He said: "I don't know why you should listen, but you are listening."
Volanon said: "You told me there were two reasons why I should not kill you. You have told me the first. I do not think it is a very good one, but I will hear the second. I like to satisfy my curiosity.
He came a little closer. The automatic pistol was pointing at O'Mara's chest.
O'Mara said: "I'll give you the second reason. That's a very old gun you're using." He looked at the automatic. He saw that the safety-catch was off. He saw that all Volanon had to do was to squeeze the trigger. He took a chance. He said: "You're not very used to firearms, are you, Volanon—in spite of your service with the Maquis? The safety-catch of th
