Throy (6 page)

“In the beginning both the LPF and Smonny were agreed that they wanted to transport all Yips from Lutwen Atoll to the Marmion Foreshore of Deucas, but their motives were different. Smonny wanted to revenge herself against Araminta Station which had treated her so unfairly and hurt her feelings. The LPF envisioned an Arcadian society of happy villagers, with folk-dancing every night on the commons, ruled by a committee of elders under the kindly tutelage of the LPF.

“Now,” said Kathcar, “the LPF has shifted its position. It wishes to divide the lands of Deucas into a large number of counties, each centered upon a fine manor house, with a limited number of Yips to act as retainers. About a third of the Yips might be absorbed by this scheme. The remaining Yips would be indentured out to landholders on other worlds. The proceeds would be used to finance the new system. Smonny would become one of the new territorial grandees. For the post of supreme administrative imperator, Dame Clytie nobly volunteered her own talents, but Smonny showed little interest in the scheme, and became a bit haughty. Her own formula, so she declared, was the more rational, since it was looser and more flexible and could be expected to assume an optimum organizational configuration in a very short time. It was in this arena, Smonny suggested, that social experiments must be tested. In any case, the evolutionary process would present an absorbing and instructive exercise.

“Dame Clytie reacted, so I am told, with heavy-handed humor. She stated that she did not wish to serve as a white rat in a cosmic social experiment, which must surely be tempestuous and not at all conducive to cultivation of the Arts, such as poetry declamation, expressionistic dancing and free-association music - some of the genres in which she herself had become interested. Smonny merely shrugged and said that such things had a way of taking care of themselves.

“They now have the new Charter to cope with, but I suspect they will simply ignore it as a meaningless and unenforceable abstraction and proceed as before. Meanwhile,” continued Kathcar, “basic conditions have not changed. Neither party commands sufficient air-transport to convey Yips to the mainland quickly enough and in great enough numbers to prevent Araminta Station patrols from halting the operation.

“The same case prevails at Araminta Station. There are no transports to convey the Yips off-world, even if there were a destination which would accept them and provide tolerable living conditions.

“The three parties to the contest are therefore at a temporary stalemate.”

Kathcar paused and looked back and forth between Glawen and Wayness. “The intrigues of course do not stop at this point.”

“So far your information has been interesting but not startling,” said Glawen.

Kathcar was nettled. “I am providing intricate psychological insights which cannot help but be important.”

“Possibly so, but Bodwyn Wook would consider me impertinent if I made any commitments to you.”

“Very well,” growled Kathcar, “call in these boffins, if you must! But warn them that I insist upon courtesy and will not tolerate a single blink of disrespect.”

“I will do my best,” said Glawen.

Wayness said thoughtfully: “Still, you must realize that Bodwyn Wook’s mannerisms are occasionally exaggerated, and are not easily controlled.”

Chapter 1, Part VI

Glawen came upon Scharde, Egon Tamm and Bodwyn Wook as they were leaving the Council Hall. After some small difficulty he turned them away from the spaceman’s Rest and led them to the Tamm’s old residence. Here, so he explained, he had come upon what might be a source of important information. He avoided mentioning the name ‘Kathcar,’ since Bodwyn Wook had taken a strong aversion to the erstwhile LPF official.

At the front door, Glawen paused and issued a cautious warning. “We may be at the brink of a delicate situation. Everyone must use tact, and there should be no suggestion of doubt or suspicion.” Noticing Bodwyn Wook’s frown he went on hurriedly: “These hints are no doubt unnecessary, since all of you are notably self-controlled, especially Bodwyn Wook, whose aplomb is notorious.”

Bodwyn Wook demanded: “What in the world are you trying to tell us? Do you have Julian Bohost in there with his feet to the fire?”

“No such luck.” Glawen led the group into the octagonal foyer. “This way and remember: the word is ‘nonchalance’!”

The group entered the parlor. Wayness sat on one of the heavy maroon chairs. Kathcar stood with his back to the fire. Bodwyn Wook jerked to a halt. He cried out sharply: “For what sorry purpose-”

Glawen spoke in a loud voice: “I think you all know this gentleman, Rufo Kathcar. He has kindly agreed to supply us information, and I assured him that we would listen with polite attention.”

Bodwyn Wook sputtered: “The last time we listened to that lying-”

Glawen spoke even louder. “Kathcar hopes that we will find his information of high value. I told him that the officials at Araminta Station, and especially Bodwyn Wook, were notably generous -” “Ha!” cried Bodwyn Wook. “That is a canard!” “- and would pay him adequately for his information.”

Egon Tamm said: “If Kathcar provides us valuable information, he shall not suffer for it.”

In the end Kathcar was induced to repeat his remarks in regard to Dame Clytie. Bodwyn Wook listened in stony silence.

Kathcar at last gave a flourish of his big white hand. “So far, you have heard what I shall call ‘background information.’ It reflects my intimate knowledge of what has been going on, and what I have been forced to endure. I confess to a great bitterness. My ideals have been betrayed; my leadership ignored.”

“Tragic! Quite sad!” declared Bodwyn Wook.

“I am now a philosophical orphan,” declared Kathcar. “Or - perhaps better to say - an intellectual soldier of fortune. I am rootless; I have no home; I -”

Egon Tamm held up his hand: “Our need is for facts. For instance, when Dame Clytie was last at Riverview House, she came with a certain Lewyn Barduys and his associate, who called herself ‘Flitz.’ Do you know anything of these folk?”

“Yes,” said Kathcar. “And no.”

Bodwyn Wook roared: “And what, pray, do you mean by that?”

Kathcar inspected Bodwyn Wook with austere dignity. “I know a number of interesting bits and pieces, which conceal as much as they reveal. For instance, Lewyn Barduys is an important magnate both in the transportation and construction industries. This information by itself lacks significance, until fitted into a context with other facts, whereupon patterns emerge. In this way I am able to justify the fee which I am compelled to charge.”

Bodwyn Wook turned a peevish side-glance toward Scharde. “You seem to be amused. I cannot imagine why.”

“Kathcar is like a fisherman chumming the water,” said Scharde.

Kathcar nodded graciously. “The analogy is apt.”

“Yes, yes,” Growled Bodwyn Wook. “We are the poor credulous fish.”

Egon Tamm said hastily: “Let us hear some of these bits and pieces, so that we may appraise their value before committing ourselves to a specific fee.”

Kathcar smilingly shook his head. “That approach lacks spontaneity! The value of my information is high, and far exceeds the fee I have in mind.”

Bodwyn Wook glue a hoot of raucous laughter. Egon Tamm said ruefully: “We cannot risk so reckless a commitment! You might ask for ten thousand sols, or even more!”

Kathcar raised his black eyebrows in reproach. “I speak in all sincerity! My hope is to establish trust between us, and a true camaraderie, where each gives his all and accepts to the measure of his needs. Under these conditions a few thousand sols become a trivial, or even contemptible, side issue.”

There was silence. After a moment Egon Tamm suggested: “Perhaps you will release a few more facts while we weigh your proposition.”

“Gladly,” declared Kathcar, “if only to establish my bona fides. I find Barduys and Flitz an interesting pair. Their relationship is curiously formal, though they travel in contiguity. The ultimate nature of this relationship? Who can guess? Flitz demonstrates an unusual facade; she is taciturn, cool, barely polite, and is not an instantly likeable person despite her superb physical attributes. At one of Dame Clytie’s dinner parties, Julian turned the conversation to the fine arts, and insisted that, except for Stroma, Cadwal was a cultural desert.

“Barduys asked: ‘What of Araminta Station?’

“‘A curious survival of the archaic ages,’ said Julian. ‘Art? The word is unknown.’

“Julian turned away to answer a question. When he looked back Flitz had gone off to the far end of the room, where she sat staring into the fire.

“Julian was puzzled. He asked Barduys if he had said something to offend Flitz. Barduys said: ‘I think not. Flitz simply cannot tolerate boredom.’

“Dame Clytie was astounded. ‘We were discussing Art! Does this topic exceed her scope of interest?’

“Barduys replied that Flitz’ ideas were unorthodox. For instance, she admired the wilderness lodges of Deucas, which were created by the folk of Araminta Station. ‘These isolated inns are true art-forms,’ said Barduys, and went on to describe how the visitor is provided a unique sensation of place.

“Julian’s jaw dropped. He could only scoff. ‘Wilderness lodge? We are talking about Art.’

“‘So we are,’ said Barduys, and changed the subject.” Kathcar looked around the room. “It was a most interesting event. I pass this intelligence on to you freely, in the interests of cooperation and trust.”

Bodwyn Wook only grunted. “What else can you tell us about these two?”

“Very little. Barduys is a practical man, as impenetrable as steel. Flitz tends to enter a state of moody introspection, and becomes remote, or even surly. One day I spent an hour exerting my most dependable gallantries, but she paid no heed, and in the end I felt as if I had suffered a rebuff.”

“A dismal episode,” said Egon Tamm. “Did you learn their business at Stroma?”

Kathcar weighed his reply, and answered carefully. “That is an expensive question, and I will reserve my response.” He stared into the fire. “I recall that Julian jocularly suggested that Barduys hire Yips for construction labor. Barduys replied that he had already made the experiment, and his tone suggested that he had not been happy with the results. Julian asked if he had dealt with Namour, and Barduys replied: Just once - and once was enough.’”

Scharde asked: “Where is Namour now?”

“I can’t say. I do not enjoy Namour’s confidence.” Kathcar’s voice was becoming sharp, and he was making restless movements. “I strongly suggest that you -”

Bodwyn Wook interrupted. “Is that all you can tell us?”

“Of course not! Do you take me for a fool?”

“That is not germane. Pray continue, then.”

Kathcar shook his head. “We have come to the transition. What remains must be considered valuable merchandise. I have already mentioned my terms; now I must have assurances that you agree to them.”

Bodwyn Wook growled: “I do not recall hearing your exact demands, nor have you indicated what information you are still withholding.”

“As for my fee, I want twenty thousand sols, passage to an off-world destination of my choice, and protection until I depart. As for the information, it is not overvalued.”

Bodwyn Wook cleared his throat. “Let us stipulate that Kathcar’s fee shall be exactly metered to the value of his information, as calculated by an impartial committee when all the facts are known. So then: speak freely, Kathcar! You are now assured of justice.”

“That is absurd!” cried Kathcar. “It is now that I need funds and security!”

“So it may be, but your demands are lavish.”

“Have you no regard for your own reputation?” stormed Kathcar. “Already your name is synonymous with cheese-paring parsimony! Now is your chance at redemption! I urge that you seize upon it, for my benefit and your own!”

“Ah! But the fee is much too high!”

“Twenty thousand sols is cheap for what I can tell you.”

“Twenty thousand sols is unthinkable!”

“Not by me! I think it very easily!”

“Arbitration still is the best plan,” said Bodwyn Wook.

“And who will be the arbiter?”

Bodwyn Wook spoke in measured tones: “He must be a person of high moral quality and keen intelligence.”

“I agree!” declared Kathcar with sudden unexpected verve. “I nominate Wayness Tamm!”

“Hmmf,” said Bodwyn Wook. “I had myself in mind.”

Egon Tamm said wearily: “We will take counsel on your proposal and give you our answer later in the evening.”

“As you like,” said Kathcar. “You may also wish to ruminate upon some other matters, such as Smonny and her wanderings. Sometimes she is to be found at Yipton; at other times she will conduct her business elsewhere - from Soum, or Rosalia, or Traven, or as far afield as Old Earth. How does she arrive and how does she depart undetected?”

“I don’t know,” said Egon Tamm. “Scharde, do you know?”

“No, for a fact.”

“Nor I,” said Bodwyn Wook. “I assume that Titus Zigonie’s Clayhacker space yacht drops down, scoops her up and disappears.”

“Then why is this event never registered on your monitors?”

“I can’t say.”

Kathcar laughed. “It is indeed a mystery.”

“Which you can clarify?” demanded Bodwyn Wook.

Kathcar pursed his mouth. “I have made no such claims. Perhaps you should consult your friend Lewyn Barduys; he also might be able to speculate. I have said enough. Your so-called investigative agency, Bureau B, seems strangely inept; still, you should not expect me to shoulder the full load of its deficiencies.”

Egon Tamm said coldly, “In any case, you are subject to Gaean law and you must report illegal activity or face charges of criminal conspiracy.”

“Ha ha!” sneered Kathcar. “First you must prove that I know the answers to questions you don’t know how to ask.”

Egon Tamm said: “If you are in earnest about leaving Stroma, be on hand tomorrow when we depart, and you may accompany us.”

“Then you will not guarantee my fee?”

“We will discuss the matter tonight,” said Egon Tamm.

Kathcar reflected a moment. “That is not good enough. I want my answer, one way or the other, within the hour.”