Read Online Ten Little Wizards: A Lord Darcy Novel by Michael Kurland, Randall Garrett - Free Book Online Page A

from them,” Lord Darcy said, peering into the doorway. “How long will it take for this smoke to clear?”
    “Oh, yes,” Master Sean said. “Sorry about that.” He took a small silver wand from the leather pouch at his waist. “If you’d stand aside for an instant, my lord...” He stood in the doorway, legs planted firmly in a position of power, and felt the air in the room with his left hand as though there were an invisible handle somewhere just within his grasp. Then, with the wand in his right hand, he drew some small circles in the air and muttered a set of unintelligible phrases.
    There was a low, prolonged crackling noise, which went on for about twenty seconds, and the room was clear of smoke.
    “Excellent, Master Sean,” Lord Darcy said.
    “Elementary, my lord,” Master Sean replied, a broad smile creasing his chubby face.
    “Well, then,” Lord Darcy said, rubbing his hands together, “let’s see what there is to be seen.” He stepped into the room and turned slowly around, observing and categorizing, getting the feel of this space that now enclosed a murdered man. “What are your findings, Master Sean?” he asked.
    Master Sean stooped over to touch his tripod-supported bowl, and decided it was still too hot to put away. “’Tis a shame,” he said. “Lying there on that wooden floor is the mortal remains of Master Raimun DePlessis, a true gentleman, and one of the finest theoretical thaumaturgists of our time.”
    “A friend?” Lord Darcy asked sympathetically.
    “A casual friend,” Master Sean said. “But a friend all the same. We would meet at the occasional sorcerers’ convention. We dined together, and sat and talked many times. We appeared together on a panel once. He was a healer, you know. Most of his theoretical work was on the healing art. He will be missed.”
    Lord Darcy patted Master Sean on the shoulder. “And his killer will be punished,” he said. “We’d better put our minds to that part of it. What did you find?”
    “Aye, my lord, you’re right,” Master Sean said. He took a small notepad from his cloak. “The victim was killed by an upward thrust to the heart by a blade of small cross-section. It penetrated between the third and fourth ribs, and was certainly fatal. Death occurred within a couple of minutes of the wound. There were no other indications of violence on the body or in the room.”
    Lord Darcy walked over to the counter and looked down at the large body lying behind it. Someone, presumably the murderer, had spent some time and effort straightening the body itself and its clothing, until it looked as if it was laid out for burial. Going around, Lord Darcy knelt down at the foot of the body to take a closer look. “Master DePlessis was a very large man,” he said. “And he has left a very large corpse. there isn’t much space here between the counter and the wall; whoever arranged the body must have been acting under a powerful compulsion. Were you able to get everything you need in this confined space?”
    “Actually, my lord, I raised the body to the countertop—after I put the preservation spell on it, of course. I returned it when I was done so that you can see exactly how he was found. I never know what Your Lordship is going to find pertinent to an investigation.”
    Very thoughtful of you, Master Sean,” Lord Darcy said. But I ve seen everything I can down here. Help me move the body back to the countertop.”
    “ That won’t be necessary, my lord,” Master Sean said. “Just stand away for a second.”
    Lord Darcy moved back and watched as, with a few gestures, Master Sean floated the body from its spot on the floor to the wooden top of the counter, which groaned slightly as the heavy corpse settled onto it.
    “I didn’t know you could do that so simply, Master Sean,” Lord Darcy said. “I thought levitations were a more complex procedure.”
    “Oh, they are, my lord,” Master Sean affirmed. “But when I did it the first