Read Online Night Lamp by Jack Vance - Free Book Online Page A

Windle, the Palindrome. Dr. Gissing belonged to several clubs, the most notable being the Lemurians, who were considered both daring and unpredictable. In their physical characteristics, the three were dissimilar. Dr. Fiorio was portly, punctilious and pink as a well-scrubbed baby. Dr. Windle, the oldest of the group, seemed all lank arms, sharp elbows and bony shanks. The yellowish dome above his forehead nurtured several brown moles and a few wisps of nondescript hair.
    In contrast. Dr. Gissing was airy, mercurial, slight of physique, with a fine fluff of white hair. He had been described in a trade journal as “much like a dainty little garden dryad, who may often be found hiding among the pansies, or laving his pretty feet in the birdbath.” The same trade journal had described FWG Associates as “a most peculiar synergism, stronger in every way than the sum of the separate parts.”
    Hilyer and Althea arrived at Buntoon House within the hour. They discovered an impressive structure of pink stone, black iron and glass, in the shade of seven langal trees.
    The Faths entered the structure and were conducted into the office of Dr. Fiorio. He rose to his feet: a large man, wearing a crisp white jacket. He inspected his visitors with amiable blue eyes. “The Professors Hilyer and Althea Fath? Dr. Fiorio here.” He indicated chairs. “If you will be so good.”
    The Faths seated themselves. Hilyer spoke. “As you know, we have come on behalf of our son.”
    “Yes; I have seen the notation. Your statements were a bit vague.”
    Hilyer was sensitive to any criticism of his literacy, and so was immediately rubbed the wrong way. He said shortly, “Our own information has been vague. I tried to communicate this fact with clarity; evidently I have failed.”
    Dr. Fiorio saw his mistake. “Of course, of course! I intended no innuendo, I assure you.”
    Hilyer acknowledged the remark with a formal nod. “Jaro has reported some peculiar occurrences which we can’t explain. We have come to you for professional advice.”
    “Quite so,” said Dr. Fiorio. “How old is Jaro?”
    “I had better tell you the whole story.” Hilyer outlined the salient events of Jaro’s life from the time he had been rescued under the Wyching Hills to the present moment. “You must keep in mind the six-year gap in Jaro’s memory. I can’t help but feel that this so-called ‘voice’ is a relict of that period.”
    “Hm,” said Dr. Fiorio. “So it may be.” He pulled at his round pink chin. “I’d like to call in my colleague Dr. Gissing. ‘Multiple personalities’ is one of his specialties.”
    Dr. Gissing appeared: a slight, rather jaunty, man with an alert inquisitive face. As Dr. Fiorio had predicted, he was instantly interested in Jaro’s case. “Do you have records describing the treatment Jaro received at the Sronk Clinic?”
    “No.” Hilyer felt as if already he had been put on the defensive by the crafty Dr. Gissing. “Things were most hectic; we were trying to save the boy’s life; niceties of record-keeping perhaps were neglected.”
    “Understandable!” declared Dr. Gissing. “I’m sure you did as well as any other frightened layman might have done.”
    “Quite so,” boomed Dr. Fiorio. “New schematics will be needed, in any event.”
    “It is an interesting case,” said Dr. Gissing. Smiling pleasantly at both Hilyer and Althea, he left the office.
    “Then that’s settled,” said Althea hastily. “When should we bring Jaro in?”
    “Tomorrow morning about this time will do quite nicely.”
    Althea stated that the time was convenient. “I can’t tell you how relieved we are to put the case into your hands!”
    “One matter remains,” said Dr. Fiorio. “I refer to our fee, which we are as anxious to collect as you are to minimize. We are neither inexpensive nor magnanimous, and it is well to part on a note of mutual understanding.”
    “No fear,” said Hilyer. “As you know, we are faculty at the