"Let him take care of the news! He'll be a useful friend and you won't make enemies elsewhere.") "I found, as might be expected, that the movements of the Bold Lions during the critical time were much less structured and static than those of other folk. Still, I managed well enough, and accounted for all eight:

Aries Clattuc and Kirdy Wook marching patrol, and I have here a copy of their sign-in sheet, one signature and a couhtersignature each half hour, signifying a patrol out and back. The other six Bold Lions were not so easy to account for, but I had no real problem. So: eight Bold Lions; like Namour, off the list. At this point, when I was about ready to put the job aside, my attention was called to a furtive shape in the shadows behind the Arbor, just barely within the camera's field. I applied both zoom and enhancement and came up with this." Rune Offaw, working the controls of Bodwyn Wook's video equipment, brought an image to the wall screen.

"It is a Bold Lion and a great mystery, since all are accounted for! As the figure moves, it becomes recognizable as Aries Clattuc, purportedly on patrol at the Yip com pound. The time is right; Sessily is still on the pedestal. He could be our man."

"Ha-ha!" said Bodwyn Wook.

"The good dutiful Aries! Has he been approached, or questioned?"

"No. I thought that we should jointly consider how best to handle the matter. Sergeant Kirdy Wook, also on duty, would seem to have serious questions to answer, such as why he failed to report Aries' dereliction when the fact would obviously have bearing upon our investigation."

"Hm," said Bodwyn Wook.

"That question at least is easily asked-if perhaps not so easily answered. First, let me see that patrol record."

Rune Offaw passed over the sheet.

"You will notice that on the three nights previous the sign-ins were occasionally done by Aries: two or three each night, although Kirdy, being the superior officer, signed in most of the patrols.

On the night of the murder Kirdy signs them all."

Bodwyn Wook looked around the table.

"Well, gentlemen? Are there any comments?"

Ysel Laverty said: "There are still the fibers to be explained. The murderer wore fur; fibers were found in the truck. But the fibers from Aries' costume don't match the fibers in the truck. Hence, Aries cannot be proved guilty."

Bodwyn Wook said: "He might have had two costumes, old and new. Well, there's no help for it; we must ask Aries some questions, before the day is any older. I'll take care of Kirdy later."

"Now is as good a time as any," said Scharde.

"It's still early; Aries will be in his chambers. So will Spanchetta."

Rune Offaw said thoughtfully: "I have some urgent affairs, and there would seem no need for the four of us."

Ysel Laverty said quickly: "A mound of paper is swallowing my desk; I must take care of it this morning, or both desk and I may disappear forever."

"Hmmf," said Bodwyn Wook.

"I'm not afraid of Spanchetta." He spoke into the mesh.

"Who's in the office? I need an experienced man, large, tough, quick on his feet and lacking all fear. Who is available?"

"Sorry, sir. There's no one in the office now except Cadet Glawen Clattuc."

Bodwyn Wook looked sidewise at Scharde.

"Glawen, eh? He'll do admirably. Have him report to my office in uniform, at once."

Bodwyn Wook, Scharde and Glawen presented themselves at the door to the apartment in Clattuc House occupied by Minis, Spanchetta and Aries. Bodwyn Wook touched the call button, and a footman admitted them to the foyer: an octagonal chamber furnished with a central octagonal settee upholstered in green silk. Four alcoves displayed four fine cinnabar urns in which bouquets of glass flowers had been carefully arranged. At the end of the room, a pedestal carved of black chert supported a silver censer from which smoldering incense sent a wavering ribbon of smoke into the air.

Bodwyn Wook looked critically around the room.

"I find this neoclassic romanticism a bit overwhelming. No doubt it is the preference of Minis. I am told that Spanchetta's tastes are simple and modest."

"That would be my guess," said Scharde.

"A pity we won't have the pleasure of seeing Spanchetta today," said Bodwyn Wook.

"But there may be another occasion soon, should Aries be executed."

Spanchetta swept into the room, still wearing her morning gown of ruffled and pleated lilac satin, with slippers of pink fluff. Her tumultuous masses of dark curls were constrained in a lace cylinder which let a number of vagrant ringlets overflow the top. She looked from face to face.

"What is all this hurly-burly? Bodwyn Wook. Scharde. And who is that? Glawen? In a uniform? An imposing group of dignitaries."

Bodwyn Wook performed a curt bow.

"I fear that there has been a mistake; we asked for Aries."

"Aries is resting. What is the problem?"

"Principally, it seems to be that when we ask to see Aries, you appear."

"What of that? I am his mother."

"Just so. Still, as our uniforms indicate, we are here in an official capacity and in fact are investigating the murder of Sessily Veder."

Spanchetta threw back her head and half lowered her heavy eyelids.

"Murder? Must you use that dreadful word when the case has not yet been proved? I have had it on excellent authority that she simply skipped away with an off-world lover, in a most irresponsible fashion. In any event, the case cannot conceivably concern Aries."

"This is what we hope to establish. Please bring him here, instantly, or I will ask Sergeant Glawen Clattuc to bring him out by force, if necessary."

Spanchetta gave Glawen a glacial glare, then said: "That will not be necessary. I will see if he wants to talk to you." She swung about and departed the room.

Ten minutes passed, during which Spanchetta's passionate contralto and Aries' grumbling tones could faintly be heard through the walls.

At last Aries shuffled into the room, wearing a brown day gown and red leather slippers of extravagant cut. For a moment he hesitated in the doorway, looking from face to face, then was impelled forward by Spanchetta.

Bodwyn Wook said: "I suggest that we remove into the parlor, where we can ask our questions in greater comfort."

"Come," said Spanchetta curtly, and led the way into the adjoining parlor.

"This will do nicely," said Bodwyn Wook.

"Aries, sit yonder if you will. Spanchetta, we will need you no longer: you may go."

"Just a moment!" snapped Spanchetta.