Read Online Gary Gygax - Dangerous Journeys 2 - Samarkand Solution by Gary Gygax - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Gary Gygax
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Bekin-Tettu exited. "You seem unusually curt, Tunorus. What troubles you?"
"Troubles? The royal prince who governed
this sepat is slain in his own palace in my city, and you are surprised about my attitude?" The inspector scowled at Inhetep. "But I will ask the questions now, Magister—or should I say Ut-chat-neb ... or True Prince?"
"You have seen the appointment entry, then?"
"As I said, questions are to be from me—-unless the Pharaoh's agency is in charge of this business." Tuhorus' tone was as hard as his face.
Inhetep moved closer to the municipal prefect agent. "If you manage to solve this quickly and apprehend those responsible for Ram-f-amsu's murder, Chief Inspector Tuhorus, I cannot envision the government sending in its own men. However, if I see the slightest need, I will personally assume oversight of this case and send for a team of Utchatu," he said levelly, as he looked down with his green eyes at the policeman's craggy face. "Your attitude is becoming irritating, Tuhorus. Even the foreigners here have noticed it."
"I don't like you much, Inhetep. We common law enforcement personnel all resent interference from the Utchatu as well. Secret police and spies aren't popular in On—even those we are forced to use ourselves. What your reason for being here is—the politics of the kingdom and its governors—are no concern of the prefecture, I'm sure, but—"
"Hold on a moment, my dear Inspector," interjected the magister. "I am here quite by chance. Allow me to explain." Inhetep then took a few minutes to recount the salient features of his happening to be in the palace when Ram-f-amsu was killed, omitting only the name of the assassin, Yakeem, from his explanation. "Naturally, I have a duty to investigate the murder, but as far as the Utchatu are concerned, this can be a matter for On's Metropolitan Prefecture if it is done efficiently and correctly."
The policeman looked narrowly at Inhetep. "Will you put that in writing?"
Setne returned the scrutiny. Despite appearance and manner, the magister found himself rather liking Chief Inspector Tuhorus. In truth, his task was formidable, reward for success likely to be nil. One was expected to do one's duty after all.. . . Inclining his head slightly to the policeman, Inhetep replied easily, with friendliness in his tone, "Have one of your scribes do so, and I'll sign it. But it is most unusual. Tell me, Tuhorus, just what is it that makes all this necessary?"
"The dead governor, Ram-f-amsu."
"Hmmm . . ." Magister Inhetep murmured, thinking rapidly. "May I propose that we meet elsewhere—perhaps this afternoon—and speak about this further? I think we must compare our notes and discuss conclusions."
"Supper," the inspector said. "It will be well into the morning before I've finished up the preliminary work here, and I will have to have some sleep. Where are you staying?"
"Let's say the Reedfields, then. There is a reasonable table there, I believe," Inhetep responded. Tuhorus assented, and without any further discussion the two men parted. The priest-wizard walked away swiftly to find lodging at the proposed inn, a place not far distant from the On Palace. Inspector Tuhorus, of course, returned to the witnesses to continue his questioning.
At the Reedfields, Inhetep found a pleasant room, sent someone off to fetch his belongings from the Golden Nylle in Innu, and went to bed. Five hours later, he arose feeling completely refreshed. After bathing and eating a little something, the magister went out to do a bit of shopping. He had three hours before his evening appointment with the policeman. Inhetep spent the remaining time organizing his purchases and going over Ms notes.
The rooms he had taken faced the street. Inhetep had chosen them for just that reason. He watched Inspector Tuhorus arrive in a closed carriage. He saw that Tuhorus was accompanied by another man. When Inhetep went downstairs to meet the chief inspector, Tuhorus was alone. "Did you
"Troubles? The royal prince who governed
this sepat is slain in his own palace in my city, and you are surprised about my attitude?" The inspector scowled at Inhetep. "But I will ask the questions now, Magister—or should I say Ut-chat-neb ... or True Prince?"
"You have seen the appointment entry, then?"
"As I said, questions are to be from me—-unless the Pharaoh's agency is in charge of this business." Tuhorus' tone was as hard as his face.
Inhetep moved closer to the municipal prefect agent. "If you manage to solve this quickly and apprehend those responsible for Ram-f-amsu's murder, Chief Inspector Tuhorus, I cannot envision the government sending in its own men. However, if I see the slightest need, I will personally assume oversight of this case and send for a team of Utchatu," he said levelly, as he looked down with his green eyes at the policeman's craggy face. "Your attitude is becoming irritating, Tuhorus. Even the foreigners here have noticed it."
"I don't like you much, Inhetep. We common law enforcement personnel all resent interference from the Utchatu as well. Secret police and spies aren't popular in On—even those we are forced to use ourselves. What your reason for being here is—the politics of the kingdom and its governors—are no concern of the prefecture, I'm sure, but—"
"Hold on a moment, my dear Inspector," interjected the magister. "I am here quite by chance. Allow me to explain." Inhetep then took a few minutes to recount the salient features of his happening to be in the palace when Ram-f-amsu was killed, omitting only the name of the assassin, Yakeem, from his explanation. "Naturally, I have a duty to investigate the murder, but as far as the Utchatu are concerned, this can be a matter for On's Metropolitan Prefecture if it is done efficiently and correctly."
The policeman looked narrowly at Inhetep. "Will you put that in writing?"
Setne returned the scrutiny. Despite appearance and manner, the magister found himself rather liking Chief Inspector Tuhorus. In truth, his task was formidable, reward for success likely to be nil. One was expected to do one's duty after all.. . . Inclining his head slightly to the policeman, Inhetep replied easily, with friendliness in his tone, "Have one of your scribes do so, and I'll sign it. But it is most unusual. Tell me, Tuhorus, just what is it that makes all this necessary?"
"The dead governor, Ram-f-amsu."
"Hmmm . . ." Magister Inhetep murmured, thinking rapidly. "May I propose that we meet elsewhere—perhaps this afternoon—and speak about this further? I think we must compare our notes and discuss conclusions."
"Supper," the inspector said. "It will be well into the morning before I've finished up the preliminary work here, and I will have to have some sleep. Where are you staying?"
"Let's say the Reedfields, then. There is a reasonable table there, I believe," Inhetep responded. Tuhorus assented, and without any further discussion the two men parted. The priest-wizard walked away swiftly to find lodging at the proposed inn, a place not far distant from the On Palace. Inspector Tuhorus, of course, returned to the witnesses to continue his questioning.
At the Reedfields, Inhetep found a pleasant room, sent someone off to fetch his belongings from the Golden Nylle in Innu, and went to bed. Five hours later, he arose feeling completely refreshed. After bathing and eating a little something, the magister went out to do a bit of shopping. He had three hours before his evening appointment with the policeman. Inhetep spent the remaining time organizing his purchases and going over Ms notes.
The rooms he had taken faced the street. Inhetep had chosen them for just that reason. He watched Inspector Tuhorus arrive in a closed carriage. He saw that Tuhorus was accompanied by another man. When Inhetep went downstairs to meet the chief inspector, Tuhorus was alone. "Did you
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