"Spanchetta brought it to you?"
"That is inconsequential, one way or the other. It has to arrive from
Bureau A by some means. Usually Dame Leuta brings it over.
Today it was Spanchetta. The SI is the same."
"Has Spanchetta ever handed it in before?"
"No. Now tell me, once and for all, what are you up to?"
"I think you know. You've looked at the number?"
"Of course! Why not?"
"And what is the number?"
Fratano tried to draw himself up.
"I can't tell you that!
The SIs are fl confidential!"
"Not if Bureau B decides to concern itself."
Fratano pulled himself up in his chair.
"Why should Bureau interfere in House business? I insist on knowing what you are getting,!! at!"
"I am investigating what may be a criminal conspiracy."
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"When Spanchetta claims to know Glawen'sSI and tells ArlesJB who crows about his knowledge to Glawen, that is already wrongdoing.! If the Housemaster is involved, the question of criminal conspiracy! arises." S Fratano gave a poignant cry.
"What are you saying! I am guilty of I nothing!"
"Where is the SI?"
Fratano pointed to a square of yellow paper on the side table.
"The number is there. It is the official computer printout."
Scharde looked at the paper. "30? You saw this number?"
"Yes, naturally."
"And you were going to read it off at the House Supper?"
Fratano's loose-jowled face sagged even lower.
"As a matter of fact, I thought the number rather high."
Scharde gave a scornful laugh.
"High, you say? What, at a guess, should be Glawen'sSI
"Well, I would have guessed 24 or thereabouts. Still " Fratano pointed to the yellow paper.
"It is not my place to argue with the computer."
Scharde grinned: a crooked sinister grimace which for an instant showed the tips of his teeth.
"Fratano, I have just come up from Bureau A. The computer is functioning with its usual accuracy. But it must depend upon the information fed into it. Do you agree?"
"That is so; yes."
"This morning, as is my right, I examined the input to the computer the information upon which it had based its judgment and do you know, someone had altered the records? To such an effect that Glawen was declared illegitimate--a bastard."
Once more Fratano cleared his throat.
"If the truth be known, rumors have been circulating to this effect for some time."
"I have heard none of them."
"It is said that your marriage to Marya was illegal and void, with the result that all issue was illegitimate."
"How could my marriage be illegal? I can show you the marriage certificate at any time. Now if you like."
"The marriage was void because Marya was already married, and had neglected to certify a legal divorce. Naturally, I paid no heed to such meretricious chatter. Still, if unfortunately it were true--" "Spanchetta told you all this? She is the source of the so-called rumor?"
"The subject indeed came up in our conversation."
"And you accepted her statement, without so much as referring it to me?"
"The facts speak for themselves!" bleated Fratano.
"On her tourist entry she signs herself as "Madame' Marya Chiasalvo."
Scharde nodded.
"Bureau B can construct against you a clear case of either 'criminal conspiracy' or 'felonious default of duty."" Fratano's jowl quivered and his eyes became large and moist.
"My dear Scharde! You know me better than that!"
"Then why did you accept, without protest, such an outrageous printout from Spanchetta? I admit to a sense of sheer outrage! You know Spanchetta and her spite! You have let yourself become her tool! So you must bear the consequences!"
Fratano said miserably: "Spanchetta can be very convincing at times."
