Throy by Jack Vance Read Free Book Online

could that be?” They went to the window and looking out saw a tall thin man, his face half concealed by the hood of his cloak.
    “I know him,” said Glawen. “It is Rufo Kathcar, I brought him back from Shattorak along with my father and Chilke. 1 Shall I let him in?”
    “I don’t see why not.”
    Glawen opened the door; Kathcar, with a furtive look over his shoulder, sidled into the house. “You may consider my conduct theatrical,” he said in a fretful voice, “but it would be as much as my life is worth if I were seen consorting with you.”
    “Hmm,” said Wayness. “Things have changed since I was little. Murder was strictly forbidden; in fact, if you so much as sniffed at someone, you were reprimanded.”
    Kathcar showed a wolfish grin. “Stroma is not as it used to be. Shortcuts are now taken. Some very passionate people walk these high windy ways. The water is far below, so that when a man is flung over the railing, he has time to think a few last thoughts before striking the surface.”
    Glawen asked: “And your present visit would be considered a mistake?”
    “Definitely so. But as you know, I am a man of steel. When I have a story to tell, and once I decide upon a denunciation, I never falter until all is made known.”
    “And so?”
    “We must come to an arrangement. I will tell you what I know; in return, you must provide me safe-conduct to such a place as I shall designate and pay me twenty thousand sols.”
    Glawen laughed. “You are talking to the wrong people. I will go fetch Bodwyn Wook.”
    Kathcar threw his arms high in distaste. “Bodwyn Wook? Never! He bites from both sides of his mouth at once, like a weasel.”
    “You can tell me anything you like,” said Glawen. “But I can make no commitments.”
    Wayness said: “While you argue, I will make tea. Rufo, will you join us?”
    “With pleasure.”
    There was a pause while Wayness served tea in tall fluted cups of amber glass. “Do not break the cup,” Wayness told Kathcar. “Otherwise you will be telling your story to my grandmother free of charge.”
    Kathcar grunted. “I cannot avoid a sense of deep disillusionment. I see now that the LPF never had anything to offer me, whether of a philosophical nature or otherwise. They have cynically betrayed my ideals! So: where am I to go? What am I to do? I have two options. I can flee to the far side of the Gaean Reach, or I can cast my lot with the Chartists, who are at least moderate and consistent in their theories.”
    Wayness asked innocently: “You have decided to sell your information and depart?”
    “Why not? My information is cheap at double the price!”
    “All this should best be explained to my superiors,” said Glawen. “Still, if you wish, we will listen and act as intermediaries.”
    Wayness added: “And also advise as to whether your information is worth twenty thousand sols or nothing whatever.”
     
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    Chapter 1, Part V
     
    Kathcar’s information derived partly from direct knowledge, partly from suspicion, partly from inference, partly from a mix of malice, and wounded self-esteem. Not all was novel or surprising, but the cumulative effect was most disturbing: especially the sensation that events had moved farther and faster and more ominously than expected.
    Kathcar spoke first of Dame Clytie’s cooperation with Smonny, who was, in effect, Titus Pompo, Oomphaw of the Yips.
    “I have previously mentioned the relationship which obtains between Dame Clytie and Simonetta,” said Kathcar. “Dame Clytie and the LPF are ashamed of this connection and try to keep it secret from the folk at Stroma, where it would be considered disreputable. Smonny was of course born Simonetta Clattuc. She married Titus Zigonie, who became Titus Pompo, Oomphaw of the Yips, though Smonny wields all control. Smonny cares not a fig for Conservancy. Dame Clytie still gives lip service to the idea, so long as all the unpleasant creatures have been led away to fenced Preserves, or