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Into another sack he poured an assortment of nails, studs, nuts, bolts and
assorted trifles of hardware, and replaced this sack on the shelf. Then, after
stirring the fire around the burning cases, he busied himself varnishing the
upper surface of the carrier.
Three minutes later Twango arrived with Gark and Gookin at his heels, the
latter carrying long-handled man-hooks.
Cugel held up his hand. "Careful, Twango! The varnish is wet!"
Twango called out in a nasal voice: "Cugel, let us have no evasion! Where are
the scales?"
'"Scales'? Why do you want them now?"
"Cugel, the scales, if you please!"
Cugel shrugged. "As you like." He brought down a tray. "I have had quite a
decent morning. Six 'ordinaries' and a fine 'special'! Notice this
extraordinary specimen, if you will!"
"Yes, that is a 'Malar Astrangal', which fits over the elbow part of the third
arm. It is an exceedingly fine specimen. Where are the others, which, so I
understand, are numbered in the hundreds?"
Cugel looked at him in amazement. "Where have you heard such an extraordinary
fantasy?"
32
"That is a matter of no consequence! Show me the scales or I must ask Gark and
Gookin to find them!"
"Do so, by all means," said Cugel with dignity. "But first let me protect my
property." He placed the six 'ordinaries' and the 'Malar Astrangal' in his
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pouch.
At this moment, Gark, hopping up on the bench, gave a rasping croak of triumph
and pulled down the sack Cugel had so recently placed there. "This is the
sack! It is heavy with scales!"
Twango poured out the contents of the sack. "A few minutes ago," said
Cugel, "I looked through this sack for a clevis to fit upon the carrier. Gark
perhaps mistook these objects for scales." Cugel went to the door. "I will
leave you to your search."
The time was now approaching the hour when Yelleg and Malser ordinarily took
their tea. Cugel looked into the shed, but the fire was dead and the divers
were nowhere to be seen.
Good enough, thought Cugel. Now was the time to remove from his grave those
scales originally filched by Weamish.
He went to the back of the garden, where, in the shade of the myrhadian tree
he had buried Weamish and dug his own grave.
No unwelcome observers were in evidence. Cugel started to jump down into his
grave, but stopped short, deterred by the sight of four broken and empty cases
at the bottom of the hole.
Cugel returned to the manse and went to the refectory where he found
Bilberd the gardener.
"I am looking for Yelleg and Malser," said Cugel. "Have you seen them
recently?"
Bilberd simpered and blinked. "Indeed I have, about two hours ago, when they
departed for Saskervoy. They said that they were done diving for scales."
"That is a surprise," said Cugel through a constricted throat.
"True," said Bilberd. "Still, one must make an occasional change, otherwise he
risks stagnation. I have gardened at Flutic for twenty-three years and I am
starting to lose interest in the job. It is time that I myself considered a
new career, perhaps in fashion design, despite the financial risks."
"An excellent idea!" said Cugel. "Were I a wealthy man, I would instantly
advance to you the necessary capital!"
"I appreciate the offer!" said Bilberd warmly. "You are a generous man,
Cugel!"
The gong sounded, signaling visitors. Cugel started to respond, then settled
once more into his seat: let Gark or Gookin or Twango himself answer the door.
The gong sounded, again and again, and finally Cugel, from sheer vexation,
33
went to answer the summons.
At the door stood Soldinck, with Rincz and Jornulk. Soldinck's face was grim.
"Where is Twango? I wish to see him at once."
"It might be better if you returned tomorrow," said Cugel. "Twango is taking
his afternoon rest."
"No matter! Rouse him out, in double-quick time! The matter is urgent!"
"I doubt if he will wish to see you today. He tells me that his fatigue is
extreme."
"What?" roared Soldinck. "He should be dancing for joy! After all, he took my
good terces and gave me cases of dried mud in exchange!"
"Impossible," said Cugel. "The precautions were exact." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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