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Authors: Jack Vance
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time permits I will visit some of these," said Barduys.
“I have already examined the Araminta Hotel. Sad to say, it lacks interest, and is even a bit archaic.”
“Like everything else at Araminta Station,” sniffed Dame Clytie.
Glawen said: “The hotel, for a fact, is something of an outrage. It was put together in bits and pieces, an annex at a time. Eventually, we'll build another, but I expect that the new Orpheum will come first, if only because Floreste collected a good part of the financing.”
Egon Tamm said to Glawen: "Perhaps now is as good a time as any to read Floreste's letter.”
“Certainly, if anyone is interested.”
“I am interested,” said Dame Clytie.
“I also.” said Julian.
"Just as you like.” Glawen brought out the letter. “Some of the material I will omit, for one reason or another, but I think you will find the balance interesting.”
Dame Clytie instantly bristled. “Read the letter in its entirety if you please. I see no reason for truncations. We all either public officials or persons of the highest integrity.”
Julian said gently: “Dear Aunt Clytie, I hope it is not a case of either one or the other.”
Glawen said: “I will read as much of the letter as possible. “He opened the envelope, removed the letter, and began to read, omitting the sections dealing with Shattorak and all mention of Chilke. Julian listened with a lofty half-smile; Dame Clytie made occasional clicking sounds between her teeth. Barduys listened with polite interest, while Flitz stared off across the lagoon. Warden Fergus and Dame Larica gave occasional small exclamations of shock.
Glawen finished the letter. He folded it and replaced it in his pocket. Warden Furgus turned to Dame Clytie". And these abominable folk are your allies? You and the other Peefers are fools!”
"LPFers, if you don’t mind." murmured Julian.
Dame Clytie said heavily: "I am seldom mistaken in my appraisals of the human condition! Floreste evidently recorded events incorrectly, or wrote to the order of Bureau B. The letter may well be a bare-faced forgery.”
Egon Tamm said: “Dame Clytie, you should not utter such charges without substantiation. In effect, you are slandering Captain Clattuc.”
“Hmf. Forgery to the side, the fact remains that the statements in this letter fail to accord with my view of the case.”
Glawen asked innocently: "Are you acquainted with either Titus Zigonie or his wife Simonetta – born, I am sorry to say, a Clattuc?"
“I know neither of them personally. Their gallant conduct provides me all the evidence I require. They are clearly fighting the strong and good fight for justice and democracy.”
Glawen turned to Egon Tamm, “Sir, if you will excuse me, I must now be returning to the Station. Thank you, Dame Cora, for lunch. Glawen bowed to the others in the parlor and departed.
CHAPTER II
I.
Midnight was two hours gone. Araminta Station was quiet and dark, save for a few yellow lamps along Wansey Way along the beach road. Lorca and Sing were gone behind the western hills; across the black sky streamed the coruscating sparkling flow of Mircea’s Wisp.
In the shadows to the sled of the airport hangar there was furtive movement. A door opened; Glawen and Chilke slid out the modified Skyrie. The frame had been fitted with floats and a cabin; the swamp crawler had been strapped to the cargo deck; fairings had been attached wherever possible.
Glawen walked around the vehicle and saw nothing to alter his mood. Chilke said: “One last word, Glawen. I have in the office a bottle of very fine very expensive Damar Amber, which we will drink on your return.''
“That seems a good idea."
“On second thought, perhaps we should break into it now, just to make sure of it, so to speak.”
“I prefer to think that I will be returning'' “That is a more positive approach," said Chilke. ”You might as well get going. The way is long and the Skyrie is slow. I'll keep Benjamie hard
“I have already examined the Araminta Hotel. Sad to say, it lacks interest, and is even a bit archaic.”
“Like everything else at Araminta Station,” sniffed Dame Clytie.
Glawen said: “The hotel, for a fact, is something of an outrage. It was put together in bits and pieces, an annex at a time. Eventually, we'll build another, but I expect that the new Orpheum will come first, if only because Floreste collected a good part of the financing.”
Egon Tamm said to Glawen: "Perhaps now is as good a time as any to read Floreste's letter.”
“Certainly, if anyone is interested.”
“I am interested,” said Dame Clytie.
“I also.” said Julian.
"Just as you like.” Glawen brought out the letter. “Some of the material I will omit, for one reason or another, but I think you will find the balance interesting.”
Dame Clytie instantly bristled. “Read the letter in its entirety if you please. I see no reason for truncations. We all either public officials or persons of the highest integrity.”
Julian said gently: “Dear Aunt Clytie, I hope it is not a case of either one or the other.”
Glawen said: “I will read as much of the letter as possible. “He opened the envelope, removed the letter, and began to read, omitting the sections dealing with Shattorak and all mention of Chilke. Julian listened with a lofty half-smile; Dame Clytie made occasional clicking sounds between her teeth. Barduys listened with polite interest, while Flitz stared off across the lagoon. Warden Fergus and Dame Larica gave occasional small exclamations of shock.
Glawen finished the letter. He folded it and replaced it in his pocket. Warden Furgus turned to Dame Clytie". And these abominable folk are your allies? You and the other Peefers are fools!”
"LPFers, if you don’t mind." murmured Julian.
Dame Clytie said heavily: "I am seldom mistaken in my appraisals of the human condition! Floreste evidently recorded events incorrectly, or wrote to the order of Bureau B. The letter may well be a bare-faced forgery.”
Egon Tamm said: “Dame Clytie, you should not utter such charges without substantiation. In effect, you are slandering Captain Clattuc.”
“Hmf. Forgery to the side, the fact remains that the statements in this letter fail to accord with my view of the case.”
Glawen asked innocently: "Are you acquainted with either Titus Zigonie or his wife Simonetta – born, I am sorry to say, a Clattuc?"
“I know neither of them personally. Their gallant conduct provides me all the evidence I require. They are clearly fighting the strong and good fight for justice and democracy.”
Glawen turned to Egon Tamm, “Sir, if you will excuse me, I must now be returning to the Station. Thank you, Dame Cora, for lunch. Glawen bowed to the others in the parlor and departed.
CHAPTER II
I.
Midnight was two hours gone. Araminta Station was quiet and dark, save for a few yellow lamps along Wansey Way along the beach road. Lorca and Sing were gone behind the western hills; across the black sky streamed the coruscating sparkling flow of Mircea’s Wisp.
In the shadows to the sled of the airport hangar there was furtive movement. A door opened; Glawen and Chilke slid out the modified Skyrie. The frame had been fitted with floats and a cabin; the swamp crawler had been strapped to the cargo deck; fairings had been attached wherever possible.
Glawen walked around the vehicle and saw nothing to alter his mood. Chilke said: “One last word, Glawen. I have in the office a bottle of very fine very expensive Damar Amber, which we will drink on your return.''
“That seems a good idea."
“On second thought, perhaps we should break into it now, just to make sure of it, so to speak.”
“I prefer to think that I will be returning'' “That is a more positive approach," said Chilke. ”You might as well get going. The way is long and the Skyrie is slow. I'll keep Benjamie hard
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