Throy by Jack Vance

sols become a trivial, or even contemptible, side issue.”
    There was silence. After a moment Egon Tamm suggested: “Perhaps you will release a few more facts while we weigh your proposition.”
    “Gladly,” declared Kathcar, “if only to establish my bona fides. I find Barduys and Flitz an interesting pair. Their relationship is curiously formal, though they travel in contiguity. The ultimate nature of this relationship? Who can guess? Flitz demonstrates an unusual facade; she is taciturn, cool, barely polite, and is not an instantly likeable person despite her superb physical attributes. At one of Dame Clytie’s dinner parties, Julian turned the conversation to the fine arts, and insisted that, except for Stroma, Cadwal was a cultural desert.
    “Barduys asked: ‘What of Araminta Station?’
    “‘A curious survival of the archaic ages,’ said Julian. ‘Art? The word is unknown.’
    “Julian turned away to answer a question. When he looked back Flitz had gone off to the far end of the room, where she sat staring into the fire.
    “Julian was puzzled. He asked Barduys if he had said something to offend Flitz. Barduys said: ‘I think not. Flitz simply cannot tolerate boredom.’
    “Dame Clytie was astounded. ‘We were discussing Art! Does this topic exceed her scope of interest?’
    “Barduys replied that Flitz’ ideas were unorthodox. For instance, she admired the wilderness lodges of Deucas, which were created by the folk of Araminta Station. ‘These isolated inns are true art-forms,’ said Barduys, and went on to describe how the visitor is provided a unique sensation of place.
    “Julian’s jaw dropped. He could only scoff. ‘Wilderness lodge? We are talking about Art.’
    “‘So we are,’ said Barduys, and changed the subject.” Kathcar looked around the room. “It was a most interesting event. I pass this intelligence on to you freely, in the interests of cooperation and trust.”
    Bodwyn Wook only grunted. “What else can you tell us about these two?”
    “Very little. Barduys is a practical man, as impenetrable as steel. Flitz tends to enter a state of moody introspection, and becomes remote, or even surly. One day I spent an hour exerting my most dependable gallantries, but she paid no heed, and in the end I felt as if I had suffered a rebuff.”
    “A dismal episode,” said Egon Tamm. “Did you learn their business at Stroma?”
    Kathcar weighed his reply, and answered carefully. “That is an expensive question, and I will reserve my response.” He stared into the fire. “I recall that Julian jocularly suggested that Barduys hire Yips for construction labor. Barduys replied that he had already made the experiment, and his tone suggested that he had not been happy with the results. Julian asked if he had dealt with Namour, and Barduys replied: Just once - and once was enough.’”
    Scharde asked: “Where is Namour now?”
    “I can’t say. I do not enjoy Namour’s confidence.” Kathcar’s voice was becoming sharp, and he was making restless movements. “I strongly suggest that you -”
    Bodwyn Wook interrupted. “Is that all you can tell us?”
    “Of course not! Do you take me for a fool?”
    “That is not germane. Pray continue, then.”
    Kathcar shook his head. “We have come to the transition. What remains must be considered valuable merchandise. I have already mentioned my terms; now I must have assurances that you agree to them.”
    Bodwyn Wook growled: “I do not recall hearing your exact demands, nor have you indicated what information you are still withholding.”
    “As for my fee, I want twenty thousand sols, passage to an off-world destination of my choice, and protection until I depart. As for the information, it is not overvalued.”
    Bodwyn Wook cleared his throat. “Let us stipulate that Kathcar’s fee shall be exactly metered to the value of his information, as calculated by an impartial committee when all the facts are known. So then: speak freely,