pleased, but what of that? We have already discounted their emotions. The progressive tide — ” She halted in mid- stride to stare at Glawen. “Halloo! What have we here?”
Julian Bohost, leaning against the table, a goblet of wine to his lips, lofted his eyebrows high. “By the nine gods and the seventeen devils It is Glawen, the brave Clattuc who guards us from the Yips!”
Glawen paid no heed. Egon Tamm introduced first the middle-aged couple. “The Warden Wilder Furgus and Dame Larica Furgus.” Glawen bowed politely. Egon Tamm proceeded. “Yonder is Flitz, glistening in the sunlight.” Flitz glanced aside from the corner of her eye, then returned to a contemplation of her black sandals.
Egon Tamm continued. 'Beside Flitz stands her close friend and business associate Lewyn Barduys. They are currently the guests of Dame Clytie at Stroma.”
Barduys gave Glawen a courteous salute. Glawen saw that Barduys was not, after all, bald; that a short fine stubble of flaxen hair covered his scalp. His movements were deft and decisive; he seemed antiseptically clean.
After her first startled comment, Dame Clytie had gone to look stonily from the window. Egon Tamm asked gently: 'Dame Clytie, I wonder if you remember Captain Clattuc? You met once before, I believe.'
“Of course I remember him. He is a member of the local constabulary, or whatever it is called.”
Glawen smiled politely. “Usually it is known as Bureau B. Actually, we are an IPCC affiliate.”
“Indeed Julian, is this your understanding”
“I have heard something to this effect.”
“Odd. It was my understanding that the IPCC imposed stringent standards upon its personnel.'
“Your information is correct,' said Glawen. “You will be relieved to learn that Bureau B operatives, if anything, are over-qualified.”
Julian laughed. “My dear Aunt Clytie, I do believe that you blundered into a trap.”
Dame Clytie grunted. “I am singularly indifferent. She turned away.”
Julian called out 'What brings you here, Glawen? The main attraction is missing — somewhere on Earth, so we are told. Do you know where?'
“I came to visit the Conservator and Dame Cora,” said Glawen. 'Finding you and Dame Clytie here is a pleasant surprise.”
“Nicely spoken! But you evaded my question.”
“In regard to Wayness? So far as I know, she is visiting her uncle Pirie Tamm at Yssinges.'
“I see.” Julian sipped from his goblet. “Cora Tamm tells me that you too have been junketing off-world on a holiday.”
'I traveled off-world: yes, on official business.'
Julian laughed. “Certainly that is how it will be on the expense vouchers.'
“I hope so. I would be outraged if I were asked to pay for what went on.”
“Then the trip was not a success?”
“I accomplished my mission and escaped with my life. I discovered that the impresario Floreste had been involved in horrid crimes. Floreste is now dead. My mission was a success.”
Dame Clytie demanded: “You killed Floreste, your most noteworthy artist?'
“I did not kill him personally. A lethal vapor was admitted into his cell. As a matter of fact, Floreste made me the trustee of his estate.'
“I find that most remarkable.'
Glawen nodded. “He explains himself in a letter — which also discusses Titus Pompo in some detail. The two were acquainted.”
“Really! I would like to see this letter.'
“I have it with me, as a matter of fact. After lunch I will read it.'
Dame Clytie held out her hand. “I will glance at it now, you please.'
Glawen smiled and shook his head. “Certain parts are confidential.”
Dame Clytie turned away and once again started to pace. “The letter can tell us nothing we do not already know. Titus Pompo is a patient man, but his patience has limits. A great tragedy is in the offing, unless we take action!”
“Quite right,' said Glawen.
Dame Clytie darted him a suspicious glance. “For this I will propose a trial or pilot resettlement program at the next full plenum.”
'It would be premature,” said Glawen. “Several practical matters stand in the way.'
“And these are?”
“First of all, we can't resettle the Yips until we find a world able to accept and absorb them. Transport is also a problem.” Dame Clytie stared incredulously. “You cannot be serious.'
“Of course I am serious. For the Yips it will be a dislocation, but there is no alternative.”
”The alternative is settlement along the Marmion Foreshore, to be followed by a system of universal Democracy.'
She turned to Egon Tamm. 'Do you not agree?”
Warden Fergus spoke indignantly: “You are aware that the Conservator must uphold the Charter!'
'We must deal with the facts of life,” snapped Dame Clytie. “The LPF insists upon democratic reform; no one of good will can oppose us!'
Dame Larica Fergus responded sharply: “I oppose you, right enough, and I especially deplore Peefer hypocrisy!'
Dame Clytie blinked in angry perplexity. 'How then am I a hypocrite? Are not my feelings plain enough?'
'Of course, and why not? The Peefers are already planning the great estates they will claim for themselves once the Charter is broken.”
“That remark is irresponsible and tendentious!” cried Dame Clytie. “Further, it is calumny!'
'Still, it is true! I have heard such talk myself! Julian Bohost, your nephew, has mentioned several areas he considers pleasant.”
Julian said smoothly: “Truly, Dame Larica, you make much out of nothing — what is, at worst, idle talk.'
Dame Clytie stated: “The point is not germane to the main issue, and should not be raised.”
'Why not, when the Peefers intend to destroy the Conservancy? It is no wonder you side with the Yips.'
Julian said: “Truly, Dame Furgus, you have it all wrong. Members of the LPF party — not 'Peefers', if you don’t mind — are practical idealists! We believe in first things first! Before we cook soup, we make sure we have a pot!”
“Well spoken, Julian” declared Dame Clytie. 'I have never heard such weird and wonderful accusations!”
Julian performed an airy flourish of the wine glass. 'In a world of infinite choices, anything is possible. All things flow, nothing is fixed.”
Lewyn Barduys looked at Flitz. “Julian is talking high abstraction. Are you confused?'
“No.'
“Are you are acquainted with these ideas?'
“I wasn’t listening. “
Julian drew back in shock. “What a pity and what a loss. You have missed several of my most inspirational dictums!”
“Perhaps you will repeat them another time.'
Egon Tamm said: “I notice that Dame Cora has summoned us to lunch. She will prefer that we desist from politics during our meal.”
The party trooped out upon the tree-shaded terrace: a structure of dark swamp-elm planks built out over the water of the lagoon. On a table laid with pale green cloth, settings of green and blue faience had been arranged, along with tall goblets of swirled dark red glass.
Dame Cora seated her guests with amiable disregard for their antipathies, so that Glawen found himself beside Dame Clytie and across from Julian, with Dame Cora herself at his left.
Conversation was initially tentative, touching on a variety of casual topics, although Dame Clytie for the most part maintained a glum silence. Julian inquired again in regard to Wayness. “When is she expected home?”
“The girl is a total puzzle,' said Dame Cora. 'She declares herself homesick, still she seems to have no schedule or timetable. Evidently her research is keeping her occupied.”
