"Including Kirdy?"

"Kirdy is inconsistent. He can even be amusing, in a sarcastic way. But give him an extra mug of Bold Lion Reserve and he is as callow as Cloyd or Kiper. Sometimes worse!"

"Odd! Few Wooks are callow. Let me advise you: never underestimate Kirdy, or take him casually! At times he shows a Machiavellian clarity of vision. For example, like yourself, he felt awkward bringing me weekly reports of seditions and criminal conspiracies. He therefore recommended that I assign this work to you. Chicanery may be expected anywhere and at any time."

Glawen smiled ruefully.

"I will certainly keep what you say in mind."

Bodwyn Wook leaned back in his chair.

"Kirdy docs not understand this, but the Bold Lions are in the nature of a camouflage. There is a certain person in whom I am interested. He seems to have a fairly close association with Titus Pompo, though he does not advertise the fact. I refer to Namour."

Glawen made no comment. Bodwyn Wook continued: "Namour is deft and gracious: so much so that we suspect him without knowing exactly why. Give careful attention to Namour and every word he says, without being obvious. When do the Bold Lions meet next?"

"Milden afternoon they're driving up to Sannenter Cove for a clam roast. Namour will not be on hand. I also hope to avoid the event."

"How so? It might be a jolly affair!"

Glawen shook his head.

"Everyone will be drunk but me. There will be a lot of secret Bold Lion ritual: pounces, growls and roars, with penalties for making mistakes. New songs composed by Kiper and Aries will be introduced, which everyone must memorize and sing with gusto. Kiper and Jardine will vomit. Aries will be Aries. Kirdy will pontificate; Uther will vex him by laughing, and sneering.

There is little to attract me."

"No girls?"

"What girls would go anywhere with the Bold Lions?"

"Still, you must be on hand. Be watchful and formulate theories."

"As you say, sir."

"One final word. Today I spoke with the Conservator. He mentioned that you had been a recent visitor to Riverview House."

"Yes. I'm afraid I talked too much."

"Not according to Egon Tamm. He tells me that when you were asked for your opinions, you stated them clearly and vigorously, but with perfect gentility. Your remarks, so he tells me, were exactly appropriate, and what he wanted to say himself. In short, you have gained his good opinion." He waved his hand.

"That is all for now."

Glawen rose to his feet, bowed stiffly and departed the office.

On Milden afternoon, three wagons driven by Kirdy, Uther and Glawen conveyed all the Bold Lions save Jardine Laverty north along the beach road to Sarmenter Cove. Jardine would arrive shortly with a cask of wine, which he hoped to obtain by illicit means from the Laverty warehouse.

Jardine, however, was late. The others gathered fuel for a fire, then went off to dig in the sand for the clam like molluscs indigenous to Sarmenter Beach.

The clams were dug; the fire was ready, and at last Jardine arrived, in a most disconsolate state of mind.

The story he had to tell was not a cheerful one. Instead of a cask of the fine Yermolino he had hoped to purvey, he had brought only a few jugs of ordinary white Tissop.

"I walked into a trap," said Jardine bitterly.

"Old Volmer was lying in wait and caught me dead to rights. I'm sure that he was tipped off; there's no other explanation! Anyway, I've had no end of trouble; I'm in hot water with the Housemaster, and no telling what they'll do to me. When I finally got away, I picked up some Tissop at the Arbor, but it's on our account and we'll have to pay."

"What a sordid situation!" said Shugart.

"Did Volmer hint as to the source of his information?"

"Not Volmer! He's a tight old goat."

"It sounds suspiciously as if there's an informer somewhere," said Aries. His gaze rested a thoughtful moment on Glawen.

Uther Offaw said: "We'll work something out tomorrow, but for now we've got clams on the fire and wine in the jug!

Let's rejoice as best we may."

"Easy for you to say," grumbled Jardine.

"I don't know what the charges will be against me. They're not taking the matter lightly. I'm lucky not to be in the Carcery."

Cloyd Diffin said: "It's a wicked situation, and no two ways about it."

Jardine gave a dour nod.

"I'd like to lay hands on the sneak who shopped me. I'd make him sing some high notes, I assure you!"

Aries said in a pompous voice: "I don't like to make accusations, but logic is logic and facts are facts. Need I point out that Glawen is a real bark-scratcher in Bureau B?"

"Nonsense," said Kirdy.

"I'm in Bureau B too. I keep business out of my social life, and no doubt Glawen does the same."

"That's just a pious hope," said Aries.

"If you recall, I advised against his membership in the first place, and now our troubles have started."

Jardine said in a troubled voice: "Glawen wouldn't nail me over a cask of wine! At least, I don't think he would!"

"Ask him," said Aries.

Jardine turned to Glawen.

"Well: would you? More to the point:

did you?"

Glawen said: "It's beneath my dignity to answer you. Think what you like."