The Witches of Karres by James H. Schmitz Read Free Book Online Page B

screen, looking at him.
    "Illyla!" the captain said.
    "At least," young Councilor Rapport said unpleasantly, "he's brought back the ship . Father Onswud!"
    Councilor Onswud said nothing. Neither did Illyla. Both continued to stare at him, but the screen wasn't good enough to let him make out their expressions in detail. The fourth face, an unfamiliar one above a uniform collar, was the one with the official-sounding voice.
    “You are instructed to open the forward lock . Captain Pausert," it said, "for an official investigation."
    It wasn't until he was about to release the outer lock to the control room that the captain realized it wasn't Customs who had sent a boat out to him but the Police of the Republic. However, he hesitated only a moment. Then the outer lock gaped wide.
    He tried to explain. They wouldn't listen. They had come on board in contamination-proof repulsor suits, all four of them; and they discussed the captain as if he weren't there. Illyla looked pale and angry and beautiful, and avoided looking at him. However, he didn't want to speak to her in front of-the others anyway.
    They strolled back through the ship to the storage and gave the Karres cargo a casual glance.
    "Damaged his lifeboat, too!" Councilor Rapport remarked.
    They brushed past him up the narrow passage and went back to the control room. The policeman asked to see the log and commercial records. The captain produced them. The three men studied them briefly. Illyla gazed stonily out at Nikkeldepain II.
    "Not too carefully kept!" the policeman pointed out.
    "Surprising he bothered to keep them at all!" said Councilor Rapport.
    "But it's all clear enough!" said Councilor Onswud.
    They straightened up then and faced him in a line. Councilor Onswud folded his arms and projected his craggy chin. Councilor Rapport stood at ease, smiling faintly. The policeman became officially rigid.
    "Captain Pausert," the policeman said, "the following charges—substantiated in part by this preliminary examination—are made against you— "
    "Charges?" said the captain.
    "Silence, please!" rumbled Councilor Onswud.
    "First, material theft of a quarter-million maels value of jewels and jeweled items from a citizen of the Imperial Planet of Porlumma — "
    "They were returned!" the captain said indignantly.
    "Restitution, particular l y when inspired by fear of retribution, does not affect the validity of the original charge," Councilor Rapport quoted, gazing at the ceiling.
    "Second," continued the policeman. "Purchase of human slaves, permitted under Imperial law but prohibited by penalty of ten years to lifetime penal servitude by the laws of the Republic of Nikkeldepain—“
    "I was just taking them back where they belonged!" said the captain.
    "We shall get to that point presently," the policeman replied. ' ' Third, mat e rial theft of sundry items in the value of one hundred and eighty thousand maels from a ship of the Imperial Planet of Lepper, accom panied by threats of violence to the ship's personnel— "
    "I might add in explanation of the significance of this particular charge," added Councilor Rapport, looking at the floor, "that the Regency of Sirius, containing Lepper, is allied to the Republic of Nikkeldepain by commercial and military treaties of considerable value. The Regency has taken the trouble to point out that such hostile conduct by a citizen of the Republic against citizens of the Regency is likely to have an adverse effect on the duration of the treaties. The charge thereby becomes compounded by the additional charge of a treasonable act against the Republic." He glanced at the captain. "I believe we can forestall the accused's plea that these pilfered goods also were restored. They were, in the face of superior force!"
    "Fourth," the policeman went on patiently, "depraved and licentious conduct while acting as commercial agent, to the detriment of your employer's business and reputation— "
    "WHAT?" choked the captain.
    " —involving