"Precisely so." Spanchetta drank half the contents of the goblet at a gulp. She set it back down with a thump.
"In any event, you are a fine one to cavil, when I recall how you misled and mistreated poor Smonny, and drove her to distraction."
"It was a tragic case," said Scharde.
"Still, I suspect that she ended up in good shape. She was a woman of great persistence. It's odd that you never heard from her."
"Not altogether. Simonetta was a sensitive and truly delightful girl."
"Something of a hellion, so I recall. Spanny and Smonny: the two of you made quite a pair."
Spanchetta disdained comment. She drained the goblet and rose to her feet.
"Not being employed in Bureau B, I find that I must go to work, none the wiser--naturally enough--for all my questions."
Spanchetta marched away and departed the Old Arbor. Scharde brought out a notebook.
"I have been to the ferry terminal, which made me a few minutes late. But no matter; I noted down a most
informative list. These are just names, but we can match them against the spaceport list and the hotel list and discover the home worlds."
"Something occurred to me while I was at the hotel. A new shipload of tourists arrived this morning. Some of them might be carrying Perfection of Joy vouchers."
"True," said Scharde.
"I'll mention the matter to Bodwyn Wook;
maybe he'll want to look into the possibility. For now, let's compare our lists."
Upon leaving the Old Arbor Glawen went directly to the Bureau B offices, where he was intercepted by Hilda, the thin and astringent secretary. Hilda distrusted all Clattucs for what she felt to be their "fleering and domineering" habits; she regarded Glawen with particular suspicion, since to the typical Clattuc qualities he added another dimension of crafty and almost sinister politeness which could only be contrived. No question about it! Glawen was a master of intrigue; how else had he progressed so far and so fast in the good opinion of the Supervisor? Therefore, to Glawen's request that he be immediately allowed access to Bodwyn Wook, Hilda stated that Bodwyn Wook did not wish to be disturbed, and had issued orders to this effect--which, in a certain sense, was the case.
After Glawen had cooled his heels for an hour, Bodwyn Wook looked into the outer office and saw Glawen sitting in a chair.
Bodwyn Wook jerked to a halt.
"Glawen! Why are you sitting so placidly? Have you nothing better to do?"
"I have indeed, sir, but your secretary prefers that I sit here in this chair."
Bodwyn Wook raked Hilda with a cold stare.
"What foolishness is this? Surely you must know that Glawen is to be sent in the moment he shows himself?"
"Your orders were explicit."
"No matter! Interpret them with a more flexible intelligence henceforth! You have wasted everyone's time! Come, Glawen."
Bodwyn Wook led the way into his office and dropped into his great black chair.
"What have you learned?"
Glawen placed three sheets of paper on the desk.
"My father and I sorted through records at the spaceport, the hotel and the ferry. These are the names which match up with the three excursions."
Bodwyn Wook studied the lists.
"The first party would be this group from Natrice: Sir Mathor Borph and Sir Lonas Medlyn from Halcyon City; also SS. Guntil, SS. Foum, SS. Mobile, SS. Koldach, SS. Rolp and SS. Buler from Lanklands.
SS. ?
These honorifics mystify me. What does "SS." indicate?"
"I don't know."
Bodwyn Wook put the Natrice sheet aside.
"The second party:
six folk from Tassadero, which I believe to be a planet of Zonk's Star. Zonk, of course, was Zab Zonk the Pirate, infamous up and down the Wisp. Hmm. I see no reference to Sibil."
"We think that she might be "S. Devella of Pogan's Point."" "These other men derive from Lutwiler Country. What signifies this word in parentheses: "Zubenites'?"
"I looked up Tassadero in the reference guide. Fexelburg is the spaceport: a 'modern, progressive city," according to the guide. Lutwiler Country is out on the Eastern Steppe, and is populated by members of the Zubenite sect."
Bodwyn Wook looked at the third list.
"These are the gentlemen from Soum, whom we have in custody. There seem to be no surprises here." Bodwyn Wook put the lists aside and leaned back in his chair.
