Maske: Thaery by Jack Vance

meet the ship,” observed Nai the Hever.
    “The wheel-track left the meadow. No wheel-track entered.”
    “What of the perrupters? Did they wear a uniform?”
    “Brown tunics on black breeches. I looked in the reference but found nothing similar.”
    “Please continue.”
    “I examined the place. I was certain that a space-ship had landed to discharge the man I now know as Ramus Ymph.”
    “So much is reasonable,” agreed Nai the Hever.
    “I then reflected that the perrupters could not know the exact time of Ramus Ymph’s arrival, and that they must have awaited him for a certain period. I went to the woods and came upon a place where the troop had camped. I found a pit where they had buried garbage. The time was late. I returned along the wheeltracks to the High Trail and Skyshaw Inn.”
    Nai the Hever looked off through a window, across Travan Square. Studying the placid face, something like that of a hyper-intelligent fox, Jubal wondered as to the chances of success for his ploy.
    Nai the Hever turned back to Jubal. “The situation is as it stands.”
    “What of Ramus Ymph? Will you prosecute under the Alien Influence Act?”
    “This would ordinarily be the case. On the other hand, when we wonder as to a person’s peculiar activities, we pretend not to notice small delinquencies, in order to understand the whole affair. There is always time to reel in the slack, so to speak. But all this is of no conceivable interest to you.”
    “On the contrary. Ramus Ymph still owes me blood.”
    “He would not agree to this. He is savagely angry.”
    “That is not my concern. He broke my body; I have only denied him a trivial honor.”
    “You would find that Ramus Ymph rates each of his honors at the worth of one hundred bodies such as yours.”
    “I balance the scale differently.”
    Nai the Hever made a purposeful movement. The interview was ended. He thrust an envelope toward Jubal. “An honorarium for your services. There are no opportunities at Wysrod. Return to Glentlin and find useful work. I wish you every success.”
    Jubal rose to his feet. “Are you interested in Ramus Ymph’s off-world business?”
    Nai the Hever’s voice became suddenly sharp. “Why do you ask?”
    “Simple curiosity. I can easily discover where he spent his time.”
    “Indeed. How?”
    “I must reserve this information until certain conditions are met.”
    Nai the Hever leaned back in his seat. “What are these conditions?”
    “They are quite personal. But you are uninterested in such things. After all, we are not close friends.”
    “True,” sighed Nai the Hever. “Nevertheless I see that I must hear you out.” He gestured to the chair.
    “Please be expeditious.”
    Jubal seated himself once more. “Perhaps I am oversensitive, but it seems that our relationship has not flowed as gracefully as I had hoped. I brought you a letter which you refused to read.”
    “Ah well, let us not mar the occasion with either recriminations or vain regrets.”
    “I cannot enforce amity upon you, but I can rightfully demand the respect to which I am entitled.”
    “My dear fellow,” said Nai the Hever, “so far as I am concerned, you have exactly that.”
    “You might well display this regard rather more openly.”
    “It is really a matter of personal style.”
    “Very well, I will take your regard for granted. May I pay my addresses to your daughter?”
    Nai the Hever’s eyebrows rose. “They would be most unwelcome, especially since she has been planning to espouse Ramus Ymph.”
    “‘Has been’?”
    Nai the Hever shrugged. “Circumstances are altered. Who knows what will happen? But we make progress. I hold you in appropriate esteem. You may not pay your addresses to the Lady Mieltrude. Do you have other conditions?”
    “Yes indeed. I came to Wysrod hoping for suitable employment. To this end I brought you a letter of introduction which I will ask you to reexamine.”
    “Very well.” Nai the Hever languidly held out