privileges as a Thariot and a high-born Glint upon completion of the work. I guarantee to furnish safe and comfortable transport to Jubal Droad, from Wysrod to the stipulated destination and back. I agree to pay him the sum of six thousand toldecks—’”
“Four thousand toldecks.”
“‘—four thousand toldecks, said payment to be made immediately upon Jubal Droad’s return to Thaery, or as soon after as is convenient to him. I acknowledge Jubal Droad to be both my personal agent and the agent of the state, and I solemnly undertake to hold him guiltless and defend him with all the power of my office against any accusation which may be brought against him in connection with the above-named task, specifically contravention of the Alien Influence Act.’” Jubal leaned back. “Then you must sign, and affix your seal, your thumb and your secret Hever oath, and the document must be witnessed.”
Nai the Hever stopped the recorder. “You make unreal demands. Such a document, if publicized, might conceivably be used to my disadvantage by the Ymphs. You must rely upon our unwritten compact.”
“I must trust you, in short?”
“Exactly.”
Jubal tossed the two thousand toldecks to the table. He rose to his feet. “Good night Nai the Hever.”
“One moment.” Nai the Hever tugged at his pale pointed chin. Presently he said: “If I provided you such a document, where would you keep it?”
“In a safe place, naturally.”
“Where?”
“That is my private affair.”
Nai the Hever reflected further, the metal lights dancing in his eyes. “Very well,” he sighed. “I must do your bidding.” He turned to a communicator. “My dear Mieltrude.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Go to my private study. At the desk open the drawer marked ‘Official No. 4’. Bring me two sheets of parchment, a stylus, and that flask of ink marked ‘Official Documentary’. Bring these articles to the library.”
“Yes, Father.”
A moment later Mieltrude appeared with the articles Nai the Hever had requested. “Thank you, my dear,”
said Nai the Hever. “Please wait a moment. I want you to witness a document.”
Jubal made an instant protest. “She is not only frivolous but undependable. In deference to a father’s ears I will not characterize her more accurately. Also, she will never be discreet; our secrets will be the banter of all Wysrod by midnight tonight.”
“Calm yourself,” said Nai the Hever. “You judge her too harshly. A witness is a witness. Who else is in the house, daughter?”
“Sune Mircea has been with me, but she is on the point of leaving. Shall I fetch her?”
“Two giddy girls on a matter of such importance?” stormed Jubal. “My suspicions have returned!”
“In that case we will do without Sune,” said Nai the Hever. He took parchment, stylus and ink. “First, I write date, place, time. Now the text.”
Jubal cried in a voice of desperation. “Really, sir! Not in front of this girl! She is personally concerned. Is this a sensible procedure?”
“Her errors have taught her wisdom,” said Nai the Hever. “She has become quite judicious.” He turned on the recorder: “Know all men by this document,” droned Jubal’s voice, “that I, Nai the Hever, in my official capacity…”
Nai the Hever completed the affidavit, signed and sealed it. Mieltrude without comment affixed her signature.
Nai the Hever folded the document, tucked it into an envelope, and handed it to Jubal.
With a wary side-glance at Nai the Hever and Mieltrude, Jubal opened the envelope, drew forth the paper and examined it. “There is a well-known swindler’s trick,” said Jubal, “called ‘foisting the pigeon’, in which envelopes are cleverly substituted.”
“That is one I do not know,” said Nai the Hever. “Are you completely satisfied?”
“Where are my two thousand toldecks?”
“Take them. They are not counterfeit. Be here tomorrow as early as possible. Go to the kitchen and Flanish will
“Four thousand toldecks.”
“‘—four thousand toldecks, said payment to be made immediately upon Jubal Droad’s return to Thaery, or as soon after as is convenient to him. I acknowledge Jubal Droad to be both my personal agent and the agent of the state, and I solemnly undertake to hold him guiltless and defend him with all the power of my office against any accusation which may be brought against him in connection with the above-named task, specifically contravention of the Alien Influence Act.’” Jubal leaned back. “Then you must sign, and affix your seal, your thumb and your secret Hever oath, and the document must be witnessed.”
Nai the Hever stopped the recorder. “You make unreal demands. Such a document, if publicized, might conceivably be used to my disadvantage by the Ymphs. You must rely upon our unwritten compact.”
“I must trust you, in short?”
“Exactly.”
Jubal tossed the two thousand toldecks to the table. He rose to his feet. “Good night Nai the Hever.”
“One moment.” Nai the Hever tugged at his pale pointed chin. Presently he said: “If I provided you such a document, where would you keep it?”
“In a safe place, naturally.”
“Where?”
“That is my private affair.”
Nai the Hever reflected further, the metal lights dancing in his eyes. “Very well,” he sighed. “I must do your bidding.” He turned to a communicator. “My dear Mieltrude.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Go to my private study. At the desk open the drawer marked ‘Official No. 4’. Bring me two sheets of parchment, a stylus, and that flask of ink marked ‘Official Documentary’. Bring these articles to the library.”
“Yes, Father.”
A moment later Mieltrude appeared with the articles Nai the Hever had requested. “Thank you, my dear,”
said Nai the Hever. “Please wait a moment. I want you to witness a document.”
Jubal made an instant protest. “She is not only frivolous but undependable. In deference to a father’s ears I will not characterize her more accurately. Also, she will never be discreet; our secrets will be the banter of all Wysrod by midnight tonight.”
“Calm yourself,” said Nai the Hever. “You judge her too harshly. A witness is a witness. Who else is in the house, daughter?”
“Sune Mircea has been with me, but she is on the point of leaving. Shall I fetch her?”
“Two giddy girls on a matter of such importance?” stormed Jubal. “My suspicions have returned!”
“In that case we will do without Sune,” said Nai the Hever. He took parchment, stylus and ink. “First, I write date, place, time. Now the text.”
Jubal cried in a voice of desperation. “Really, sir! Not in front of this girl! She is personally concerned. Is this a sensible procedure?”
“Her errors have taught her wisdom,” said Nai the Hever. “She has become quite judicious.” He turned on the recorder: “Know all men by this document,” droned Jubal’s voice, “that I, Nai the Hever, in my official capacity…”
Nai the Hever completed the affidavit, signed and sealed it. Mieltrude without comment affixed her signature.
Nai the Hever folded the document, tucked it into an envelope, and handed it to Jubal.
With a wary side-glance at Nai the Hever and Mieltrude, Jubal opened the envelope, drew forth the paper and examined it. “There is a well-known swindler’s trick,” said Jubal, “called ‘foisting the pigeon’, in which envelopes are cleverly substituted.”
“That is one I do not know,” said Nai the Hever. “Are you completely satisfied?”
“Where are my two thousand toldecks?”
“Take them. They are not counterfeit. Be here tomorrow as early as possible. Go to the kitchen and Flanish will
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