Kirdy gave a curt nod.

"Just as you say, sir."

Bodwyn Wook turned to Scharde.

"How did my statement go over?"

"Well enough, I would say. No one can contradict you."

"That's the way it shall be, then. Now, as to our investigation. I see it moving down two roads: first, the material you took from the truck. We'll want to analyze that and trace it to its source. Second, I received a most singular message today from Zamian the Yip.

I will read it to you." He waited while Kirdy served tea and then seated himself.

Bodwyn Wook cleared his throat and looked down at a sheet of paper.

"This is the message:

"Respectable Supervisor of the Investigation Forces "Dear Sir:

"I hope that your work goes well so that crimes are halted here and everywhere. Be confident of my help.

"I am writing to let you know how I am doing, which is well.

As I told you, with true honesty, I am sorry that I did not investigate all suspicious things as they occurred, and did not ask for the true explanation. But remember, please! I told you that I would not stop my thinking and now I see that my efforts have been good ones, and I have reached success, unless I am quite wrong, or if we cannot find some small funds to make a certain person feel that he does not take great risks for just "Thank you! You are a truly fine man!" After all, remember this! Success costs money! But it is cheap, at any price.

"One more thing. I should not say this, but I feel that I must state:

there is cause for hurry, since this gentleman may ask for money from another place. Such an act is wrong sometimes, but money is right all times. This is a little joke, but how true! Anyway, it would be wise tomorrow morning to let me know, with perhaps some kind generosity for me, too. I am, as always "Your good friend and helper, "Zamian Lemew.Gabriskies."

Bodwyn Wook looked up from the message.

"Zamian's attitudeaes are refreshingly artless; it is a pleasure following the flow of hills thoughts. He is at all times lucid; one is never in doubt as to hiiis desires, but he is as gentle as a bottle snake stealing milk. No doubibt he finds us equally quaint." Here Bodwyn Wook looked from face oio face, then gave the letter a flick of the fingers.

"Still, we are not poeasts nor are we sociologists, and we must not abandon ourselves to thutie delectations of either.

Glawen, you have been brooding with obviouros intensity.

What are your opinions?"

"They are nothing so settled as opinions: speculations, rather."

"Thai is appropriate, under the circumstances.

Proceed."

"First of all, Zamian's tone seems different, as if now he haeias something definite and new to sell.

Probably this 'certain personals-also worked in the kitchen or pantry near the loading dock--the source co of information, so to speak. For some reason, Zamian and the 'certain person' seem to have been working at least half-independently, amid

the 'person' seems to have discovered information which at the time Zamian neglected or was unable to get."

"That seems to hang together. Zamian now is the front man, and conducts negotiations from this end while the 'person' tries some blackmail. Presumably they have agreed to share proceeds. Kirdy, what is your analysis?"

"Sorry! I haven't thought all that deeply about the case, what with the other duties to which I was assigned rather foolishly, so I feel."

Bodwyn Wook returned a bland grin to the remark.

"You refer to that odious patrol of the compound? Who knows? You might have saved us the indignities of a screaming Yip riot or worse if there is anything worse. They'd be nasty customers once they forgot the 'yes-sirs' and 'no-sirs." Or they might remain polite, and it would be:

"Excuse me, sir; please hold still while I cut your nose off." Ah well, Kirdy! Your gallant sacrifice brought us all peace of mind. It was by no means in vain!"

Glawen said: "Certainly I slept better, knowing that Kirdy and Aries were out there on guard."

"It was a noble episode," said Bodwyn Wook.

"But back once more to Zamian and his intrigues. Scharde, what are your ideas?"

"Taking up where Glawen left off: we have Zamian and a 'certain person' in the kitchen, or pantry. What could the 'person' have seen that Zamian missed? He might have seen the murderer as he waited for Sessily. Or Zamian might have notified him that something was going on in the truck. They noticed its departure and resolved to watch for its return.

Apparently Zamian was otherwise occupied and so the 'person' took care to watch and see who alighted from the truck on its return."

"Exactly so!" declared Bodwyn Wook.

"That is my own reconstruction of events. Zamian at this time has committed himself to the pose of helping us and so lacks leverage. Or the 'person' decides to go it alone and freeze Zamian out.

By means of this letter, Zamian ensures that he will get his share of any proceeds, either from us or by way of blackmail. He does not reckon that we too can go it alone and pay nothing to anyone." Bodwyn Wook reached in a drawer and brought out a folder.

"These are statements from the kitchen help. Four Yips were on duty: Zamian and three others. Two of these were at all times occupied in food service and can be dismissed. Zamian and Xalanave had more general duties which took them into the pantry. I therefore nominate Xalanave as the 'certain person' and propose to put him through the wringer as soon as possible: let us say, tomorrow morning. Kirdy, you and Glawen pick him up and bring him here."

"At what time?"

"An hour or two into the morning."

"What of Zamian?"

"We'll take them separately. With any luck Xalanave will crack open the case for us."

For a moment the four sat thinking their separate thoughts, then Scharde said: "You may be overoptimistic. Remember the truck on its return was parked down at the other end of the dock. Xalanave would not have had a good view from the pantry."

"In that case, why would he not stroll down the dock until he could see as much as he liked? It is what I would do."

"Also, don't forget that the driver almost certainly wore costume."

"True again, and we know something about this costume. That shall be the second string to our bow. In any event we'll have the truth out of Xalanave tomorrow. Now, what about the fuzz or hair or whatever it is?"

"It seems to come from a shaggy brown fabric: a coarse rug, or imitation fur."

Bodwyn Wook gazed up toward the ceiling.