"You did not search in the Archives, or you would have found me. What is so urgent?"
"Floreste is beside himself with excitement. He insists upon conferring with you at the earliest possible moment."
Glawen rose to his feet.
"I'll look in on him now."
Glawen crossed the river and proceeded to the jail. Marcus Diffin said: "Here you are at last."
"I'm surprised to find myself so popular. The last time I was here he couldn't get rid of me fast enough."
"Be warned: he's had a bad day and it's put him out of sons."
"How so?"
"First it was Namour, and the two had a rousing quarrel. I was about to interfere when Namour left, his face like a thundercloud. Next, Dame Skellane. She upset Floreste all over again, and he began shouting for you."
"I think I know what's troubling him," said Glawen.
"Perhaps I can calm him down a bit."
Marcus Diffin opened the door and called into the chamber:
"Glawen Clattuc is here."
"None too soon! Send him in!"
Glawen found Floreste standing by the table, glowering in angry
accusation.
"Your conduct is brazen beyond belief! How dare you interfere with my arrangements?"
"You refer to my conversation with Dame Skellane Laverty?"
"I do indeed! My money is impounded and she learns that you will be made some absolutely grotesque settlement! Our plans will be smashed!"
"I explained this, but you chose not to listen."
"Naturally I ignored such poppycock."
"I will explain again. In exchange for information, I will not prosecute Quite simple, don't you agree?"
"I do not agree and it is not simple! You put me in an abominable dilemma! Haven't I made that clear?"
"Not in terms that I understand."
"No need for you to understand. You must accept my assurances."
"I'd rather take a million sols of your money."
Floreste sagged back against the table.
"You are vandalizing my last few hours!"
"You need only give me the information I want."
Floreste struck his fists together.
"Could I trust you?"
"I must trust you, to tell me all you know. You must trust me."
Floreste gave a weary sigh.
"I have no other choice, and for a fact I believe you to be honest, though vicious."
"So what is it: yes or no?"
Floreste asked craftily: "Exactly what must I tell you?"
"If I knew, why should I ask? In the main, I want to know everything there is to know about my father: how he disappeared, why, and who is responsible, where he is now.
There may be other questions which I will also want answered."
"How should I know all these things?" grumbled Floreste. He walked back and forth across the room.
"So I must choose.
