"There is a ridiculous situation in progress here, and it might even become serious. Kirdy has been taken into custody. The Oomps claim that he stole Aries' cloak."

"That doesn't sound too important. What actually happened?"

"It's possible that one of the Bold Lions played a trick on Aries, and that Kirdy was blamed. I can't understand the motives of the Yips-unless they believe Kirdy to be guilty of some graver offense. Naturally, he is no more guilty than I am, and the situation is an outrage."

"Indeed, indeed!" said Bodwyn Wook in his reediest voice.

"I'll get in touch with Titus Pompo at once. Keep handy to this connection, in case I want to get back to you."

"What of the ferry?"

"It must leave on schedule; no help for it, since passengers have connections to make. I'll straighten things out with Titus Pompo."

Half an hour later, with no further word from Bodwyn Wook, the ferry departed Yipton.

Arriving at Araminta Station late in the afternoon, Glawen went directly to Bureau B and was sent into the Supervisor's office.

Bodwyn Wook pointed to a chair. Glawen looked hopefully toward Bodwyn Wook.

"Have you had news of Kirdy?" s "No. I can't get through to Titus Pompo. No one else will talk, What happened out there?" | Glawen reported the circumstances as succinctly as possible, Bodwyn Wook heard of the flyer with little surprise.

"I

expected something of the sort. Could you determine the type?"

"It seemed to be a Pegasus Model D, like our own, with a few modifications."

Bodwyn Wook grunted.

"It seemed like our own because it was our own, built with stolen parts. Go on."

"That's when my knee went through the mat. I managed to get back into the hotel, by a different route; apparently Yips had appeared on the roof and Kirdy had pulled up the rope."

"An anxious moment or two, eh?"

"Yes. But I had some luck and managed to slip back into the hotel. I went up to the room. Kirdy had already made a packet of the rope. I took it down and threw it into the harbor, and it seemed as if we had come through in good shape, although Aries put up a great howl over his stolen cloak.

"In the morning the Bold Lions discovered that they'd had enough of Yipton, and were ready to go home. Kirdy and I were also willing to leave. But when we went down to the ferry, four Oomps were waiting. I went past with the others, but they stopped Kirdy at the gangplank and took him away."

Bodwyn Wook leaned forward in perplexity.

"Why Kirdy? How were they able to center in upon him?"

Glawen scowled, then, in a carefully emotionless voice, said: "Kirdy sent me off to Pussycat Palace so that he could reconnoiter. I did not want to go, but he insisted. When I got back--" "Just one moment! Let me understand this! You say he sent you off to Pussycat Palace? He 'insisted' that you go?"

"Well, yes. As soon as the ferry pulled out from Araminta Station, Kirdy took command. He stated that you had put him in charge by reason of his seniority and experience."

Bodwyn Wook jerked back in his seat.

"He was not telling the truth."

"I suspected as much but Kirdy is very sensitive and I did not want to dispute his word. I decided to make the best of the situation, and work with the circumstances rather than against them. As it turned out, I made the wrong decision."

Bodwyn Wook spoke in a dry voice: "It may be not so bad as it sounds. Titus Pompo will ask questions. Kirdy will no doubt reason, and correctly so, that nothing can be gained by holding his tongue, since you have escaped with the information. I am sure that he will save himself any major discomfort by cooperating to the degree required of him. In short, he will tell everything he knows,

which is not very much. After that, what happens is anyone's?! guess. I "We don't entirely understand Titus Pompo's disposition. He may be guided by rage, malice and determination to set a chilling example. More likely, he will temporize and attempt to bargain. Our best option, in any case, is to act at once and decisively, and I have already put the process into motion. We will move early tomorrow. Meanwhile, go home and get some rest. Return in the morning; I might need further information."

Glawen paused by the door.

"What of the Conservator?"

"He will prefer to know nothing about what is ostensibly a routine affair. If notified, he might feel obliged to sing LPF music and put a proforma restraint upon us."

"What do you plan to do?"

"The needful. You may go now and get some rest."

Glawen departed and went listlessly to Clattuc House. His father was not in their chambers, and did not arrive home until late.

In the morning the two arose early, made a quick breakfast and repaired to the Bureau B offices, to find Bodwyn Wook already in conference with the captains Ysel Laverty and Rune Offaw. As yet, there had been no word from Yipton, and Glawen was directed to a cpuch in the shadows at the back of the room. He had slept only fitfully and found his eyelids hanging heavy. He pulled himself up with a jerk and tried to heed the conversation.

Ysel Laverty, thick, solid, with short gray hair, slate-gray eyes and a reputation for ruthless pertinacity, was speaking: " complain that our reaction was excessive, especially if there are Yip casualties."

"No matter," said Bodwyn Wook.

"Power flows to be who takes charge. We shall act first and argue later, if at all. Now we must show our will to act, or lose our credibility forever. And with it, incidentally, the Conservancy.

Scharde, what of your preparations?"

"We are at the ready. If we don't defend ourselves, we deserve what we get."

"Then you might as well get to it. We are probably too late already."

Scharde rose to his feet and departed the room, with a glance toward Glawen and a wave of the hand as he passed.

Bodwyn Wook touched a button and spoke into the mesh on his telephone.

"I want Namour co-Clattuc here at once. No excuses, no delay."

Rune Offaw asked: "Why do you need Namour?"

Bodwyn Wook slapped the arms of his chair.

"Namour is a swash buckling desperado after the best or worst Clattuc tradition. I trust him only so far as I can see him. If he is in my office, I can see him."

A chime sounded, and a voice came from the mesh.

"A call from Yipton: Titus Pompo will speak with you."