“This is a nuisance,” grumbled Ildefonse. “Everyone in the group carries a monitor, that he may not be swindled by his friends. Now each of these monitors must be searched out and justified if the deception is to succeed.”

“No great matter. I have evolved a new technique which easily befuddles the monitors. I need only a pair of quampics and a red-eyed bifaulgulate sandestin.”

Ildefonse brought forth an object of eccentric shape derived from a fulgurite. From the opening peered a small face with eyes as red as currants. “This is Osherl,” said Ildefonse. “He is not altogether bifaulgulate, but he is clever and swift, if sometimes a trifle moody. His indenture runs to five points.”

“The count is far too high,” said Osherl. “Somewhere a mistake has been made.”

“I believe the count to be valid and just,” said Ildefonse. “Still, in due course I will check my records.”

Rhialto spoke to Osherl: “You are anxious to reduce your indenture?”

“Naturally.”

“A simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ will suffice.”

“Whatever you like; it is all one with me.”

Rhialto went on: “Today Ildefonse and I are in a lenient mood. For a few trifling tasks we will mark you down a full point —”

“What?” roared Ildefonse. “Rhialto, you distribute points among my sandestins with a lavish hand!”

“In a good cause,” said Rhialto. “Remember, I intend to impose triple damages, with total confiscation in at least one case. I will here and now stipulate that your seizure of my IOUN stones was in the nature of a safeguard, and not subject to the punitive provisions which otherwise might be applied.”

Ildefonse spoke more equably: “That is taken for granted. Deal with Osherl as you will.”

Osherl said persuasively: “A single point is of no great account —”

Rhialto turned to Ildefonse. “Osherl seems tired and languid. Let us use a more zestful sandestin.”

“Perhaps I spoke in haste,” said Osherl. “What are your requirements?”

“First, visit each of the persons caught in the stasis, and use these quampics to adjust each monitor so that it will fail to register this particular stasis.”

“That is no great work.” A gray shadow flitted about the room. “It is done, and I have won an entire point.”

“Not so,” said Rhialto. “The point is yours after all the tasks have been accomplished.”

Osherl gave a sour grunt. “I suspected something of the sort.”

“Nevertheless, you have made a good start,” said Ildefonse. “Do you see how nicely things go when one is amiable?”

“They only go nicely when you are generous with your points,” said Osherl. “What now?”

“Now you will go to each magician in turn,” said Rhialto. “With great care remove the dust, chaff and small bits of detritus from the boots of each person present including Ildefonse and myself. Place the yield from each pair of boots in a separate bottle, identified properly with the name of the magician.”

“I know none of your names,” grumbled Osherl. “You all look alike to me.”

“Place the yield in a series of labeled bottles. I will name off the names. First is Herark the Harbinger … Ao of the Opals … Perdustin … Dulce-Lolo … Shrue …” Rhialto named off each of the magicians, and instantly a glass bottle containing dust and trash in greater or lesser quantity appeared on the table.

“Again, no great matter,” said Osherl. “What now?”

“The next task may or may not take you afield,” said Rhialto. “In any case, do not dally nor loiter along the way, as important consequences rest upon our findings.”

“To a dung-beetle, a pile of brontotaubus droppings is a matter of prime significance,” said Osherl.

Rhialto knit his brows. “Ildefonse and I are both perplexed by the allusion. Do you care to explain?”

“The concept is abstract,” said Osherl. “What is the task?”

“The Adjudicator at Fader’s Waft, whom we know as Sarsem, is absent from his post. Bring him here for consultation.”

“For a single point? The balance becomes uneven.”

“How so? I ask you to locate only one sandestin.”

“The process is tedious. I must go first to La, there pull on what might be called the tails of ten thousand sandestins, then listen for the characteristic exclamations of Sarsem.”

“No matter,” said Ildefonse. “An entire point is an item to be cherished; you will have earned it well and honestly.”

Rhialto added: “I will say this: if our business goes well, you will not have cause to complain. Mind, I promise nothing!”

“Very well. But you must dissolve the Stasis; I ride the flux of time as a sailor sails on the wind.”

“A final word! Time is of the essence! For you, a second differs little from a century; we are more sensitive in this regard. Be quick!”

Rhialto cried: “Wait! We must hide the bottles of dust. Hurtiancz has the eyes of a hawk, and he might wonder to find a bottle of dust labeled with his name. Under the shelf with the lot! … Good. Ildefonse, remember! We must terminate this colloquy with dispatch!”

“Just so! Are you ready?”

“Not quite! There is one last bit of business!” Rhialto repossessed the glossolary which Vermoulian had obtained at Falu; then Rhialto and Ildefonse, working together and chuckling like schoolboys, fashioned a simulation of the glossolary, changing the vocabulary so that it yielded not clear and precise language but absurdities, insults and sheer nonsense. This new and faulty glossolary was then restored into Vermoulian’s keeping. “Now I am ready!” said Rhialto.

Ildefonse lifted the spell and the conference proceeded as if it had never been interrupted.

Hache-Moncour’s words hung in the air: “— of my undertaking, Vermoulian’s motion may now be ruled in order.”

Rhialto jumped up. “I move that the meeting be adjourned until such time as Hache-Moncour completes his investigation. Then we will have full information on which to base our findings.”

Vermoulian gave a croak of protest; Ildefonse quickly declared: “Vermoulian seconds the motion; are all in favor? No one seems opposed; the motion is carried and the meeting is adjourned until Hache-Moncour reports his findings. The lights are about to go out and I am off to take my rest. To all: good night.”

Casting dark looks toward Rhialto, the magicians departed Boumergarth and went their various ways.

8

Rhialto and Ildefonse repaired to the small study. Ildefonse set out double spy-guards and for a period the two sat drinking wine with their feet raised to the flicker of the fire.

“A dreary business,” said Ildefonse at last. “It leaves an evil savor worthy of an archveult! Let us hope we can find guidance in the dust of your bottles or from the testimony of Sarsem. If not, we have no basis for action.”

Rhialto gripped the arms of his chair. “Shall we study the bottles? Or would you prefer to take your rest?”