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and the question of your identity becomes important." "I
am Lord Ambal; that is sufficient." Ryl Shermatz swung his mild gaze to
Bandolio. "You know him by another name?"
"By another name and by many another deed, some of which have caused me pain.
He has done what I
should have done ten years ago retired with his loot. Here you see Alonzo
Dirrig, sometimes known as the Ice Devil and Dirrig the Skull-maker, one time
master of four ships, as adept among the starmenters as any you might find."
"You are mistaken, whoever you may be." Casagave bowed and made as if to turn
away. "Not so fast!" said Filidice. "Perhaps we have made an important
discovery. If this is the case, then
Janno Akadie is vendicated. Lord Ambal, do you deny the charge of Sagmondo
Bandolio?"  There is nothing to deny. The man is mistaken." Bandolio gave a
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mocking caw of laughter. "Look across the palm of his left hand; you'll see a
scar I put there myself."
Filidice went on. "Do you deny that you are the person Alonzo Dirrig; that you
conspired to kidnap three hundred lords of prefecture; that subsequently you
killed a certain Lempel?
Casagave's lips curled. "Of course I deny it. Prove it, if you can!" Filidice
turned to Glinnes.
"Where is your proof?"
"One moment," said Shermatz in a voice of perplexitv. He spoke to Bandolio.
"Is this the man with whom you conversed on the beach near Welgen?  Alonzo
Dirrig calling on me to implement his schemes? Never, never, never not Alonzo
Dirrig." Filidice looked dubiously at Glinnes. "So then, you are wrong, after
all." Glinnes said, "Not so fast! I never accused Casagave, or Dirring
whatever his name is. I merely brought him here to clear up an incidental bit
of business."
Casagave turned and strode away. Ryl Shermatz made a gesture; Filidice
instructed his two constables; "After him! Take him into custody." The
constables ran off. Casagave looked over his shoulder, and observing pursuit,
bounded out upon the dock and into his boat. With a surge and thrash of foam
he sped away across Fleharish Broad.
Filidice roared to the constables, "Follow in the launch; keep him in sight!
Radio for reinforcements; take him into custody!" Lord Gensifer confronted
them, face clenched in displeasure. "Why do you cause this disturbance? Can
you not observe that we celebrate a solemn occasion?" Chief Constable
Filidice spoke with what dignity he could muster. "We are naturally distressed
by our intrusion. We had reason to suspect that Lord Ambal was the accomplice
of
Sagmondo Bandolio. Apparently this is not the case."
Lord Gensifer's face became pink. He glanced at Akadie, then back to Filidice.
"Of course this
file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%20E...ck%20Vance%20-%20Alastor%202262
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file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%20E-books/Jack%20Vance%20-%20Alastor%
202262-Trullion.txt is not the case! Have we not discussed the matter at
length? We know Bandolio's accomplice!"
"Indeed," said Akadie in a voice like a saw cutting a nail. "And who is this
person?"
"It is the faithless mentor who so craftily collected and then secreted thirty
million ozols!
declared Lord Gensifer. "His name is Janno Akadie!" Ryl Shermatz said
silkily, "Sagmondo Bandolio disputes this theory. He says Akadie is not the
man." Lord Gensifer threw his arms up in the air.
"Very well then; Akadie is innocent! Who cares? I am sick of the whole matter!
Please depart; you are intruding upon my property and upon a solemn ritual."
"Accept my apologies," said Chief
Constable Filidice. "I assure you that this was not my scheme. Come then,
gentlemen, we will- "
Just a moment," said Glinnes. "We haven't yet touched the nub of the matter.
Sagmondo Bandolio cannot positively identify the man he faced on the beach,
but he quite definitely can identify the mask. Lord Gensifer, will you bring
forth one of the Fleharish Gorgon helmets?"
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Lord Gensifer drew himself up. "I most certainly will not What sort of farce
is this? Once more
I require that you depart!" Glinnes ignored him and spoke to Filidice. "When
Bandolio described horns and the lolling tongue of the mask I instantly
thought of the Fleharish Gorgons. On the fourth day of Lyssum, when the
meeting took place, the Gorgons had not yet been issued their uniforms. Only
Lord Gensifer could have used a Gorgon helmet. Therefore, Lord Gensifer is the
guilty man!"
"What are you saying?" gasped Filidice, eyes bulging in astonishment. "Aha!"
screamed Akadie and flung himself upon Lord Gensifer. Glinnes caught him and
pulled him back. "What insane libel are you setting forth?" roared Lord
Gensifer, his face suddenly mottled. "Have you taken leave of your senses?"
"It is ridiculous," declared Filidice. "I will hear no more."
"Gently, gently," said Ryl Shermatz, smiling faintly. "Surely Glinnes Hulden's
theory deserves consideration. In my opinion it appears to be definite,
particular, exclusive, and sufficient.
Filidice spoke in a subdued voice. "Lord Gensifer is a most important man; he
is secretary of the
Order- "And as such, he forced you to imprison Akadie," said Glinnes. Lord
Gensifer furiously waved his finger at Glinnes, but could bring forth no
words. Chief Constable Filidice, in a plaintive grumble, asked Lord Gensifer,
"Can you refute the accusation? Did someone perhaps steal a helmet?" Lord
Gensifer nodded vehemently. "It goes without saying! Someone Akadie, no doubt
stole a Gorgon helmet from my storeroom." "In that case," said Glinnes, "one
will now be missing.
Let us go to count the helmets." Lord Gensifer aimed a wild blow at Glinnes,
who ducked back out of the way. Shermatz signaled Filidice. "Arrest this [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]