The bank official listened carefully to Glawen's request, then shook his head.

"I can't help you. Ogmo Enterprises is a blind account. Money can be deposited by anyone, then it simply disappears, so far as we are concerned. Withdrawals can be made only by using the proper code. The account is secret and anonymous; it could only be more so if it did not exist at all."

"You could not locate the account, if you were of a mind to do so?"

"A cybernetic genius might locate the account by depositing funds to the credit of Ogmo Enterprises and tracing the computer's activity. He might be able to learn the code; as to this I'm not sure. But he could not identify the account holder."

"What if he were ordered to do so by, let us say, Alvary Irling, sparing no expense?"

The official inspected Glawen with an expression combining both curiosity and calculation. He spoke in a noncommittal voice: "You use that name with easy eclat."

"Why not? He is currently our guest at Araminta Station.

Should I be inclined to make the suggestion, he would discharge you on the instant."

"Really." The official straightened the papers on his desk.

"You wield great influence. Interesting. Please ask him to promote me to first executive director at a large salary."

"I might well do so if you provided the information I need."

The official regretfully shook his head.

"I am helpless. It is not just a matter of bank regulation. The code is known only to the depositor. His name does not appear in the bank records."

Glawen departed the bank, with Kirdy following close behind.

They returned to the Travelers Inn, Glawen in a gloomy mood.

In the hotel lobby Glawen flung himself down into a chair.

Kirdy, smiling a cryptic smile, stood looking down at him.

"Now what?"

"I wish I knew."

"Don't you want to make more inquiries?"

"Of whom? What should I ask?"

Kirdy gave an indifferent shrug, "There is much more to learn. Soum is a large world."

"Let me give the matter some thought."

"Think away." Kirdy went off to look at a bulletin board. He uttered a cry of glad surprise and came bounding back across the lobby.

"We can't leave Soum! Impossible that we should leave now!"

"How so?"

"Look at the poster!"

Without great interest Glawen went to look at the bulletin board, where he discovered a placard printed in lively colors:

The famed impresario Master Floreste brings his talented troupe The Waifs of the Wisp back to Soumjiana! Advance patronage is advised.

"They won't be here for a month or more," said Glawen.

"We'll be gone tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" cried Kirdy in shock.

"I don't care to leave tomorrow!"

"Stay as long as you like," said Glawen.

"Just don't bother me with any more foolish complaints."

Kirdy stared at Glawen, the muscles of his face cording.

"I

advise you to watch your language! You are not speaking to a child!"

Glawen sighed.

"Sorry, I did not mean to offend you."

Kirdy gave a nod of measured dignity.

"I have a suggestion to make."

"So long as it involves neither sausages nor the Mummers, I'll listen."

"This investigation is obviously a pack of nonsense. I suspected as much from the start. I feel that we should spend another week or two here on Soum, attending to certain business, then take the first ship back to Cadwal."

"You go if you like," said Glawen.

"It's my duty to complete the investigation as best I can. That means Tassadero tomorrow."

Kirdy compressed his lips and looked off across the lobby.

"Duty is all very well, ifit is necessary. But this is foolish duty and needless."

"That is not for you to decide."

"Of course it is for me to decide! Who else should I trust in this regard? You? Bodwyn Wook? Aries? Estimable fellows all, but I am I! If I think a certain 'duty' is needless, I refuse to trouble myself. It is undignified parading around for no purpose. My dignity will not allow me to make a fool of myself. That is how it always has been and always will be."