"Sometimes it is easy to guess," said Glawen.

"As, for instance, in your own case."

Floreste, jumping to his feet, marched back and forth across the room, arms clasped behind his back. Glawen watched in silence. Floreste returned to his chair.

"These are dismal times. I will drink wine."

"It's all the same with me," said Glawen.

"I came prepared for either contingency." He went to the door and rapped on the panel.

Marcus Diffin opened the shutter to the peephole.

"What do you want?"

"My parcel."

"I must pour it into a synthan container and supply synthan cups. Criminals are not allowed the use of glass."

"Don't call me a criminal!" roared Floreste.

"I am a dramatic artist! There is a notable difference!"

"If you say so, sir. Here is the wine. Drink with joy."

"What an idiot!" stormed Floreste.

"Still--what does it matter? The wise man rejoices in each fleeting instant! Pour the wine with a loose hand!"

"It is a sad affair," said Glawen.

"Your termination will bring tears to many an eye."

"Including my own. It is shameful to treat me so."

"What of your grotesque crimes? You deserve much worse."

"Nonsense! Those so-called crimes were a means to an end:

small coins spent to buy a great prize! They are finished and forgotten. But now--think of it, if you will! I am obliged to dance a part, all unwilling, in this macabre ballet you call justice--and to what end? Who benefits?

Certainly not I. Far better to put all this foolishness aside and start afresh, like the urbane gentlemen we are!"

"I must ask my father's views on the subject--if ever I see him again. He has disappeared; were you aware of this?"

"I heard talk to this effect."

"What has happened to him? Do you know?"

Floreste drained the cup at a gulp.

"Why should I tell you, even if I knew? It is by your act that I am here, counting off the minutes of my life."

"It might be considered a generous act."

"Generosity, is it?" Floreste filled his cup from the synthan flask.

"All my life I have been generous! Have I been ennobled, or in any way rewarded? I am still listed as a far collateral. Meanwhile I have given of my genius with both hands! I am giving my personal fortune to the new Orpheum, even though I will never see the splendid reality, But I will still give! It shall be my memorial, and folk down the ages will speak my name with awe!"

Glawen gave his head a skeptical shake.

"This may not be possible, which is the news I came to bring you. Not happy news, I fear."

"What are you saying?"

"It is simple enough. I have suffered great damages by reason of your wanton, cruel and purposeful acts. Therefore, I have placed an action at law against you, your property and all your fortune in money. I have been assured of a very large award. Your plans for an Orpheum must be postponed."

Floreste stared at Glawen in consternation.

"You cannot be serious! It would be the act of a maniac!"

"Not at all. You arranged a terrible fate for me, and I suffered greatly. As I think back it seems a true nightmare!

Why should you not recompense me? My case is legitimate."

"In theory only! You want my money, the treasure I have pieced

together sol by sol, always with the grand dream in mind!

And now, with the dream at last attainable, you would shatter my universe!"

"You were not concerned with my plight at Pogan's Point. I am not concerned with yours."

With sagging features Floreste sat staring at the white flower. On sudden thought he hitched himself up in the chair.

"You are belaboring the wrong person. It was Kirdy, not I, who insisted on the call to Pogan's Point. I acceded, true, but without emotion; your fate meant nothing to me. It was Kirdy who contrived the deed and enjoyed it enormously.

Take his money if you must; leave mine alone."

"I can't really believe this," said Glawen.

"Kirdy had nothing in his mind but confusion."

"My dear fellow, how can you be so dense? Kirdy's hatred for you might have caused his confusion, but it was not the other way around! He has detested you since you were children!"

Glawen looked off across the room and down through the years. Floreste, in this case, was telling him the brutal truth.

"It's a feeling I've had at the back of my mind but I always kept it repressed, down and out of sight. Kirdy was considered a fine upright fellow; it was wrong to think such things of Kirdy even when they could hardly be disguised.