Space Opera by Jack Vance Read Free Book Online Page B

agreeable to me.”
    Madoc Roswyn looked toward Captain Gondar with a strange expression on her face, one which puzzled Roger; it was almost as if she were pleading with him. Captain Gondar made a quick harsh movement, turned away. Madoc Roswyn arose, followed Roger into the corridor. Roger attempted to take her in his arms, but she stepped back. “Please, Mr. Wool — say what you want to say, and then —”
    “My darling!” gasped Roger. “What’s wrong?”
    “‘What’s wrong’?” She gave a bitter laugh. “The mess you’ve got me in, the things you’ve said about me — it’s a wonder I’ve a shred of reputation left!”
    “I don’t understand!” bleated Roger. “I’ve merely —”
    “You’ve merely got me in the worst trouble I’ve ever been in! I’m thankful I know you for the selfish blunderer you are before you did worse than you’ve done! Now please go, and never speak to me again! Captain Gondar at least is decent enough to arrange me a place to sleep and see that I don’t go hungry!”
    Roger turned blindly away, and almost stumbled into Captain Gondar who had been standing in the doorway.
    An hour later Captain Gondar presented himself to Dame Isabel. “Yes, Captain? How are things going?”
    “Everything seems first-rate, madame. I’ve made arrangements in regard to the young lady whom I fear your nephew had attempted to victimize.”
    “What? Roger victimize anyone except me? Certainly not that devious little trollop.”
    Captain Gondar’s face darkened. “Eventually you’ll hear the full truth, madame. In the meantime the young lady is not only filled with remorse, but wants to make amends for the trouble she unwittingly has caused.”
    “You speak in riddles,” snapped Dame Isabel. “How could she ‘unwittingly’ have done anything?”
    “Mr. Wool tricked her aboard. She was drugged, and awoke to find herself locked in a storage closet. Mr. Wool made periodic attempts to assault her, but without success.”
    Dame Isabel emitted a hoarse caw of laughter. “If it’s true — though I doubt it — it’s about the level of competence I’d expect of Roger. He has a girl locked in a closet, drugged and helpless and still she fends him off. Well, well, well. Poor Roger.”
    “The young lady learned that you were suffering from space-sickness, and was quite concerned. She tells me that she knows a specific cure and will be happy to help you.”
    Dame Isabel rubbed her pallid forehead. “The way I feel, I’d take help from the devil himself. What is this cure?”
    “I’ll fetch her, and we’ll see what she can do.”
    Madoc Roswyn came into the room. She looked at Dame Isabel a moment or two, nodded thoughtfully and spoke a few quiet words to Captain Gondar. He departed and Madoc Roswyn approached Dame Isabel. “Now, madame, if you’ll relax and close your eyes, I’ll try to stimulate the nerves which strange new conditions have cramped. Captain Gondar has gone for some medicine — an old farm recipe from the Welsh hills …” She touched Dame Isabel here and there, on throat, neck, forehead.
    Captain Gondar returned with a glass, which proved to contain a thick turgid liquid. “What is that?” demanded Dame Isabel suspiciously.
    “Sulfur, honey and a little drop of whisky. Drink it and you’ll feel a new woman.”
    Dame Isabel drank the potion, made a wry face. “It will be either cure or kill.” Madoc Roswyn continued to touch her here and there, hardly more than glancing little flicks of the finger-tips. Dame Isabel sat up in her chair. In a voice of wonder she said, “Why, do you know, I do feel better!”
    “I’m very pleased,” said Madoc Roswyn and quietly departed.
    “Hmph,” said Dame Isabel. “She unquestionably has a way with her … Strange creature … Of course she must be put off at Sirius Planet. But in the meanwhile see that she’s comfortable. I owe her at least that much. Hmmf. That lummox Roger. What in the world will become of