TW02 The Timekeeper Conspiracy NEW by Simon Hawke Read Free Book Online Page A

your own damn wine." He went back to eating his chicken, shaking his head in resignation. "Try to be a nice guy," he told Lucas.
    "Monsieur," said the young man.
    "Yes, what is it now?"
    "I am not in the habit of being dismissed so cavalierly."
    Finn raised his eyebrows. "Excuse me," he said. "I was not aware that I was dismissing a cavalier."
    "Finn—" Lucas said.
    The innkeeper backed away from the table.
    "Then I will make you aware of whom you are dealing with, Monsieur. D'Artagnan suffers slights from no one." He drew his rapier. " 'Guarde, Monsieur!"
    "Oh, Christ," said Finn. The innkeeper dove under a table.
    "Monsieur D'Artagnan," Lucas began, "allow me to—"
    "I will deal with you presently, sir," D'Artagnan said, "after I have done with your unruly friend. That is, unless you wish to increase the odds against me. I will not shrink from crossing swords with both of you at once." He swished his rapier back and forth a couple of times.
    "Put that thing away," said Finn. "It's almost as big as you are."
    "Nevertheless, its size will not impede my use of it," D'Artagnan said. "Now, 'guarde!"
    "Oh, sit down," said Finn.
    "You will stand, Monsieur, and draw your sword!"
    "I will sit, my friend, and finish my dinner. And you would be wise to do the same."
    D'Artagnan's sword stabbed out and lanced Finn's chicken off his plate. With a flick of the wrist, he sent the bird flying into a corner of the room.
    "You appear to have finished your dinner, Monsieur."
    "That does it," Finn said. "I'm going to take that pigsticker away from you and spank you with it." He started to stand.
    Lucas took hold of his arm.
"Finn, sit down. Don't be an idiot."
    Delaney stood. "Look," he said to D'Artagnan, "can't we just forget the whole thing? I'm willing to overlook the chicken, but—"
    "But I am not willing to overlook your insults, sir," D'Artagnan said.
    "What
insults?"
    "Your sword, Monsieur!"
    "No."
    "You refuse to draw your sword?"
    "That's right, I refuse."
    "Then you are a base coward and no gentleman!"
    "Listen here, you—"
    "Finn ..
."said Lucas.
    Delaney took a deep breath. "AH right. I am a base coward and I'm not a gentleman. Does that satisfy you?"
    D'Artagnan looked disappointed. "Well, then, in that case, I must demand an apology."
    "For what?"
    "Finn, will you for Christ's sake apologize and have done with it?" said Lucas.
    "Well now what the hell should I apologize for?"
    "It doesn't matter, just apologize, if it will make him happy."
    "Sir, I will not be condescended to," D'Artagnan said.
    "Just stay out of this," said Lucas. "Finn, say you're sorry, all right?"
    "All right, I'm sorry. I apologize."
    "I do not think you are sincere in your apology," D'Artagnan said.
    "Please accept his apology, Monsieur," said Lucas. "It will bring this entire affair to a close and do wonders for my digestion."
    "This is most perplexing," said D'Artagnan. "Your friend clearly does not wish to apologize, yet he apologizes. And although he is not sincere in his apology, he will do as you wish to spare himself from dueling with me. It appears that there is no way I can gain satisfaction in this affair. You place me in a most disadvantageous situation, Monsieur."
    "I only wish to avoid unnecessary bloodshed," Lucas said. "It was all a misunderstanding, nothing more. No offense was meant."
    "And yet offense was given. And I cannot attack a man who will not draw his rapier. It would be unseemly and dishonorable. Yet honor must be satisfied."
    The innkeeper peeked out from beneath the table.
    "Would honor be satisfied if we were to fight with our fists?" said Finn.
    "It would be most irregular," said D'Artagnan, "but I can think of no other way out of this predicament."
    "Then it's settled," Finn said. "We duel with fists."
    "Done," said D'Artagnan. He started to remove his bald-rick and Finn walloped him right between the eyes.
    The blow knocked him back several feet and he sat down hard upon the floor. The innkeeper ducked back beneath the