Namour said abruptly: "All very well, and it's none of my affair, but where is your evidence?"
"He appears in the camera record," said Glawen.
"He is in a hurry to get back to the patrol and he is careless. So there we see him lumbering down Wansey Way in his primordial costume, and there is no mistaking him."
It is all a lie," said Kirdy.
"Every word is false."
"You admit nothing, then?" asked Bodwyn Wook.
"I cannot admit to a lie."
"And you performed the full stint of your patrol?"
"Certainly. Glawen has always been jealous of me, because I am who I am--a Wook of pedigree--while he is a born mongrel."
Bodwyn Wook spoke without intonation: "Larke Diffin, step forward if you please."
Namour spoke in a long-suffering voice: "If you are finished with me, I will now excuse myself."
Bodwyn Wook looked at Glawen: "Have you any further questions to put to Namour?"
"At this particular moment, no."
"You may go."
Without a word Namour departed the chamber. Ysel Laverty waited a brief period, then followed. Meanwhile Larke Diffin had come from the corner of the room where he had been sitting:
a blond young man of good address, tall and a few comfortable pounds overweight, with bristling mustaches and an air of confident affability.
Bodwyn Wook spoke to the chamber at large: "Everyone here, surely, is acquainted with Larke Diffin, who is a lieutenant of the militia. Larke came on duty at the Yip compound immediately after the shift which should have been kept by Kirdy and Aries. Lieutenant, repeat what you have already told me."
Larke Diffin pulled at his mustache and cast a troubled gaze toward Kirdy.
"I will report facts because they are as they are, and my telling will not alter them. On the occasion in question, the last night of Parilia, I came on duty ten minutes early, to make sure that I would not be late. I found neither Kirdy nor Aries at the patrol station;
however, to my surprise, I found that all the patrols had been signed and countersigned, which of course is strictly against regulations. The signatures certify that the patrols have been performed and clearly the last patrol had not yet been completed.
"A few minutes later Kirdy appeared, out of breath and seriously out of uniform; in fact he wore what I now know to be a primordial costume. He was taken aback to find me early, and embarrassed by my evident disapproval. He said that he had just stepped over to the Mummers' wardrobe for the costume, in order to save time. Aries, he said, had done the same.
"I found it impossible to be harsh during those last few hours of Parilia. I pointed out, as sternly as I could, that both he and Aries had falsified patrol certifications, which was most irregular. I remarked that I should properly report the occurrence, but since all was peaceful and no harm had been done, I would overlook the offense. That is where the matter stood, and I never thought of it again until Glawen questioned me. As I think back, Kirdy came in not from the direction of the warehouse, but from Wansey Way."
Glawen looked at Kirdy.
"Well, what of that, Kirdy? More lies?"
"I will say no more. I must go my way alone. It has always been me against the world."
Bodwyn Wook said abruptly: "That is all for today. This is not a formal hearing and you have not been arraigned. Still, do not attempt to leave the station. I will consult my associates and we will decide upon our procedures. I suggest that you find counsel to help you represent yourself."
Glawen lunched alone at the Old Arbor, then, with nothing better to do, sat quietly drinking what remained in the decanter of the wine, while Syrene moved across the sky.
The time became middle afternoon. Glawen could wait no longer. He took himself to the jail, where, without comment, Marcus Diffin admitted him to the cell.
Floreste sat at the table writing across sheets of orange paper, using black ink. He looked up and gave Gtawen a curt nod.
"I am just finishing." He inserted the papers into a heavy envelope, upon which he wrote: "Not to be examined until sunset!"
He sealed the envelope and tossed it to Glawen.
"I have done your bidding. You must heed the instruction."
"I don't understand it but I'll do as you ask." Glawen thoughtfully tucked the envelope into his pocket.
Floreste turned him a quick wolfish grin.
"Tomorrow, or even sooner, my motives may become clear. Our transaction is now complete, and you must abandon your litigation."
"It depends on what is in this envelope. If it is nothing but breast beating and claptrap I will take every dink et you own. So think well, Ploreste, and make your changes now, if any are needed."
Floreste shook his head ruefully.
"I would not dare thwart you! I know something of your mettle. You are merciless!"
"Not so. But I will do what I can to help my father."
"I cannot fault you for your loyalty," said Floreste.
