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.The day was cool, clear and crisp.Dwan hung in the sky, coruscating like a molten pearl, but for once Jantiff paid no heed to chromaticeffects.He rode the lateral to Uncibal River, and diverted east toward the space-port.Odd, mostde-cidedly odd, this affair.What could it all mean? Certainly nothing constructive.A mile east of the space-port a lateral led north past the Alastor Centrality and on to the Field ofVoices.Almost without conscious intent Jantiff diverted upon the lateral and rode to the Centrality: astructure of black stone, set to the back of a compound paved with slabs of lavender porphyry andplanted with twin rows of lime trees.Jantiff crossed the compound, passed through an air cur-tain into a foyer.Behind a counter sat aslender dark-haired young man, apparently no Arrabin by evidence both of his hair style and anindefinable off world manner.He addressed Jantiff politely:  What are your needs, sir? I wish a few moments with the cursor, said Jantiff. May I inquire his name? He is Bonamico, and I believe that he is presently disen-gaged.May I ask your name? I am Jantiff Ravensroke, from Frayness on Zeck. This way, if you please.The clerk touched a button and spoke:  The Respectable Jantiff Ravensroke of Zeck, is here, sir.A voice responded:  Very good, Clode; I ll see him at once.Clode made a sign to Jantiff and conducted him across the foyer.A door slid aside; they entered astudy paneled in white wood with a green rug upon the floor.A massive table at the center of the roomsupported a variety of objects: books, charts, photographs, cubes of polished wood, a small hologramstage, a six-inch sphere of rock crystal which seemed to function as a clock.Against the table leaned thecursar: a short sturdy man with.pleasant blunt features and blond hair cropped close.Clods performed a formal introduction:  Cursar Bonam-ico, this is the Respectable JantiffRavensroke. Thank you, Clode, said the cursar.He spoke to Jantiff:  Will you be pleased to take a cup of tea? By all means, said Jantiff. That is very kind of you. Clode, would you see to it? Be seated, sir, and tell me how I can be of service.Jantiff lowered himself into a cushioned chair.The cursar remained by the table. You are a recentarrival? Quite true, said Jantiff. But how did you know? Your shoes tell the tale, said the cursar with a faint smile. They are of better quality than one seesabout the ways of Arrabus. Yes, of course. Jantiff gripped the arms of his chair and leaned forward. What I have to tell you isso odd that I don t quite know where to begin.Perhaps I should mention that at Frayness on Zeck Itrained in dimensional drafting and pictorial composition, so that I have some small skill at depiction.Since arriving here I ve made dozens of sketches: folk along the man-ways and at my block, which isOld Pink, 17-882.The cursar nodded. Proceed, please. My roommate is a certain Skorlet.Today, one of her friends, Esteban, arrived at the apartment witha man named Sarp and a fourth man whom I don t know.They were not aware that I was in thebedroom and held a colloquy which I could not help but overhear. To the best of his ability Jantiffreproduced the conversation. Eventually Skorlet found me in the bedroom and became very disturbed.Sarp and the fourth man left instantly.The episode impressed me very unfavor-ably.In fact, I regard it asrather sinister. He paused to sip the tea which Clode had brought in during, his account.The cursar considered a moment  You have no inkling as to the identity of the fourth man? None whatever.I glimpsed his back through the door as be left the apartment; he seemed large,with heavy shoulders and black hair.This is my impression, at leastThe Lamar gave his head a dubious shake. I don t quite know what to tell you.The tone of theconversation certainly suggests something more than idle mischief. That was my definite impression. Still, no overt acts have been committed.I can t exert the Connatic s authority on the basis of aconversation which, af-ter all, might be only wild talk.The Arrabins, as you may have noticed, are proneto extravagance.Jantiff frowned in dissatisfaction. Can t you make in-quiries, or perform an investigation? How? The Centrality here is a very minor affair, to an ex-traordinary degree.We re like an enclaveon foreign soil.I have a staff of two: Clode and Aleida.They re underworked, but neither qualifies as asecret operative; no more, in fact, do I.There s not even an Arrabin police agency to deal with. Still, something must be done! I agree, but first let s assemble some facts.Try to discover the identity of the fourth man.Can youdo this?Jantiff said reluctantly,  I suppose this is possible.Esteban has organized a bonterfest, and this manapparently intends to be on hand. Very good; learn his name, and watch what goes on.If their activities exceed simple talk then I canact.Jantiff grumbled:  That s like waiting for the rain before you start to fix the roof.The cursar chuckled. The rain at least shows ins where the leaks are.Fit do this much.Tomorrow Ileave for Waunisse to confer with the Whispers.I ll report what you have told me and they can takewhat steps they think necessary.They re a sensible group and won t automatically dismiss the matter.For your part, try to assemble more facts.Jantiff gave a glum assent.He finished his tea and departed the Centrality.The man-way took him toward the space-port.Jantiff looked back at the Centrality with the uneasysense of lost opportunity [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]