Throy by Jack Vance Read Free Book Online Page B

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