"Whatever you say."
A few moments later Barch called back.
"The Superintendent asks that you wait where you are at Flicken. He has decided to take definite action."
"What kind of action?"
"It will be stern and definite, I can assure you of this!
We'll discuss the options later. Above all, do not talk to anyone about your experiences," "I don't see why not. In fact, I'll talk to whoever is interested, since I have undoubtedly located Zonk's Tomb and there is not so much as a counterfeit dink et to be found.
This news should be disseminated rapidly, as a service to tourists."
"That's an altruistic point of view," said Barch.
"Is there anyone to whom you have already told your story?"
"No, it's still too early."
"We'll be out right away."
"You'll need a large flyer."
"What for?"
"There are thirty Monomantics at the seminary. I am bringing charges against them all and I want every one of them in custody."
"I don't know if we can do that today," said Barch.
"Then don't bother to come. I'll call the IPCC."
Barch's voice became a trifle strained.
"I suggest that today we arrest only the ringleaders. Then we can make up our minds as to the others. Most of them are just simpleminded religious fanatics. We'll have to sort them out as we go. Anyway, wait there; don't move and don't talk to anyone; you might compromise your case."
"That seems farfetched. Inspector Barch, are you dragging your feet on this case?"
"Of course not! Never! Not at all! I'll be there in a very few minutes and explain everything."
The telephone went dead. Glawen turned away, half smiling.
"Barch's patience is very elastic."
"Only until he arrives. Now we must decide bow to dispose our selves. It's important that we catch the rascals red-handed, so to speak."
"Not too red-handed, I hope."
"That will be our goal."
Half an hour passed. The first silver fringes of dawn showed around the horizon; a half light the color of milky water illuminated the landscape. Down from the sky came the flyer from Fexelburg, to land directly in front of the store. Four men jumped briskly to the ground:
Inspectors Barch and Tanaquil, with two others of ordinary rank.
Glawen waited by the front of the store. The four policemen sauntered toward him. Barch raised his arm in an affable gesture.
"You will remember Inspector Tanaquil, of course."
"Of course."
"You have had some unusual adventures," said Barch.
"True," said Glawen.
"To my great discomfort. But I am puzzled."
"How so?" asked Barch.
"That flyer is only a four-seater. There are five of us here, and we will want to take at least five or six persons into custody at the seminary."
"Well, Glawen, if the truth be known, it's not all so easy as it first seemed. The Ordene notified us some time ago that you had escaped from her custody. As I mentioned, in Lutwiler Country, we tend to let the Ordene Zaa do things as she thinks best. She has brought serious charges against you and wants you back at the seminary."
"You must be joking," said Glawen.
"I am an officer of the
IPCC."
"I joke very seldom. So there is one of the options I mentioned. Wullin was annoyed when I awoke him for orders, and he provided us a second option, which you may well prefer. It is called the Fexelburg hammock, and all things considered, I think this is the option we shall use."
"Your manner verges on the offensive," said Glawen.
"I know nothing of your hammock, nor do I want to know."
Barch only laughed.
"I shall explain it anyway. We use it when four officers and a rascal must ride in a four-scat flyer. The rascal uses the hammock." He signaled to his underlings.
"Show us how quick you are with the hammock.
It's cold out here and I'm quite willing to get home to my breakfast."
"Come to think of it," said Glawen, "I am too. You can't imagine the terrible food at the seminary."
"I'm afraid there'll be no breakfast for you today."
The patrolmen approached Glawen with a length of rope.
"Don't bother," said Glawen.
