Read Online The Wizard of Anharitte by Colin Kapp - Free Book Online

with his death.’
    ‘Then you should consider better the consequences of your actions. I know perfectly well that this man overwrote Dion-daizan’s title in the register and I know that your money induced him to do it. Now he’s dead because of it. If this piece of bloodshed is an example of how you mean to harass the Imaiz , you’d be well advised to employ a more competent society.’ He spat in the general direction of Catuul Gras.
    ‘I admit I could have been an interested party,’ said Ren. ‘But if the man’s dead it was the Imaiz who had him killed. Why don’t you tax him with it?’
    ‘I would—if I had a shred of proof. But we’ve found no trace of an assassin, no sign of any weapon. It’s only our suspicion that the Imaiz would want this man destroyed. There’s no tangible connection with Dion-daizan. If you can give me proof of his complicity, I’ll take the issue to his door. Until then, I regard this as the result of your own inept machinations.’
    ‘You’ve found no weapon?’ Ren was perplexed. He turned to Catuul Gras. ‘Weren’t you here when it happened?’
    ‘I was—we all were.’ Catuul’s gesture encompassed his comrades. ‘We chose this house because it has only one door connecting with the street—and that door could be stoutly bolted. The windows have shutters inside and the courtyard leads only to blank walls. Here, at least, we thought we could defend him from the mighty wrath of the Imaiz .’
    ‘Then what happened?’ Ren was impatient.
    ‘We were drinking moderately and talking and because the roof is low the room soon grew hot. We opened the door to the courtyard to let in air, since we dared not unbar the windows. Even then, for safety’s sake, we put three men in the courtyard so that no surprise attack could come from there.’
    ‘And?’
    ‘The clerk was badly worried and drank more freely than was wise. Knowing the courtyard was guarded, he felt safe in going to the door to relieve himself into the gully. As he reached the door he seemed to choke and we saw him fall down just where you see him now. His throat was torn and he drowned in his own blood.’
    ‘Then how did—?’
    ‘We don’t know. Those in the courtyard saw and heard nothing, nor did those of us who stayed inside. Whatever split his throat has not been found, though we’ve searched the yard and the room a dozen times. No man among us has recent blood on his weapons, so even treachery is ruled out. I personally think that the Imaiz sent an invisible beast to claw out his throat.’
    ‘You know I can’t accept that,’ said Ren angrily. ‘There are no such things as invisible beasts.’
    Ren bent down to examine the wound, but realized, with his fingers and shoes slipping with blood, that he had neither the knowledge nor the stomach to gain much from the examination. He passed on out into the courtyard, inspected its solid walls and tried to scrutinize the higher surroundings, which were obscured by darkness. Finding no solution to the mystery, he climbed back past the body in the doorway and faced Di Irons.
    ‘If you’ll permit, Prefect, I’d like Dr. Hardun at the spaceport to perform an examination of the body.’
    ‘Will that help, Agent Ren? The man is dead—his throat is gone. What more can be learned from him?’
    ‘There must be some evidence of whatever broke his throat. We’ve many facilities on the battle cruiser. A weapon that caused that damage must have left a trace. If it’s there we’ll find it.’
    The prefect shrugged. ‘I see no harm in your trying. If you wish you may come and take the body after daybreak. And you, Catuul, will have an accounting to make to his widow. I shall hold the Pointed Tails responsible for the cremation and all expenses. Nobody’s lightly going to disturb the peace while I’m prefect on the three hills.’
    ‘It will be as you direct, Prefect,’ said Catuul Gras quietly, though a variety of emotions struggled in his voice.
    The