"Exactly! Now do you see how it may be possible to solve your problem? If Earth, Terra, was the home world then, somewhere, there could be a set of navigational tables which would use that planet as their zero point. Find such a set, discover a common reference with those we use at present, and you will find the coordinates of the world you seek." Jocelyn smiled. "You see, my friend, how simple it really is."
It was simple if the suggestion that Earth, at any time, had really been the originating planet of mankind, if any navigational tables existed from that time, if he could find them and if there were any common reference points.
"Yes, my lord," said Dumarest dryly. "You make it sound very simple."
"Great problems usually are when looked at from the correct viewpoint," said Jocelyn. "On Jest we have many ancient books, perhaps one of them will contain the information you seek."
"Perhaps," Dumarest ignored the obvious bait. "One thing, my lord."
"Yes?"
"You knew where to find me. Will you please tell me how you knew where I would be?"
Jocelyn laughed. "Now that is simple. I asked. Why else should I keep a cyber?"
* * *
Zopolis spread his hands. "Earl, I didn't know, I swear it. Do you honestly think I would supply a raft to men like that?" The agent's face was sweating despite the coolness of the processing shed. "It was Wandara," he added, "that lousy overseer of mine. He took a bribe to hire a new scout. The louse must have picked up his friends and jumped you."
"They killed Clemdish," said Dumarest flatly. "They almost killed me."
"I know how you feel," said Zopolis quickly. "I felt the same. Do you think I want anyone coming after me with a knife? I tell you it was Wandara who supplied the raft. And I still haven't found it," he mourned. "It must be somewhere over the sea by now. More expense, more trouble."
"And Wandara?"
Zopolis shrugged. "Gone. I kicked him out when I discovered what had happened, not what happened to you," he explained. "If I had known that I'd have come after you, but when I found out about the new scout, I held back his pay and he had to travel low. Maybe he won't make it," he added. "A man like that doesn't deserve any luck at all."
"Wrong," said Dumarest. "He deserves plenty of it-all bad."
Outside the cloud had spread to cover half the sky and the lower edge of the sun rested on the horizon. In a few days it would be out of sight and cloud would cover the entire sky. Then would come winter and the rain. If he was going to remain on Scar he had better make some arrangements, but they could wait. Something else had higher priority.
* * *
Ewan pursed his lips as he manipulated his shells. "Nothing, Earl," he said. "Not a whisper. As far as I knew you had simply gone on a long trip." The shells made little rasping noises as he moved them over the table. "Clemdish?"
"Dead. Tortured."
"That's bad," Ewan lifted his head, his eyes direct. "I'm clean, Earl. I'm no paragon, hut I wouldn't set a gang of jumpers on anyone. I warned you about them, remember?"
Dumarest nodded. "And you said something else, about a ring."
"Gossip, a snatch of conversation." The shells paused in the pudgy hands. "Are you saying they were after your ring?"
"As well as other things, yes."
"And you don't know why?"
"Not yet," said Dumarest grimly. "But I intend to find out."
A ship left as he stepped through the vestibule into the open air. It lifted, then seemed to vanish with a crack of displaced air. A red flash glittered as sunlight reflected from the polished hull and then it was gone. On the landing field men slowly leveled the spot where it had stood.
"Dumarest!"
He turned and saw Adrienne. She was coming from Lowtown, her maid a step behind and a monk bringing up the rear.
"My lady?"
"You have been avoiding us," she said with mock severity as she came to where he stood. "How are you now? Do you continue to be well, no bad effects from Brian's administrations?" She checked herself, conscious of her betrayal. No one of her rank and station should reveal such concern. "I have been working with Brother Jeffrey," she explained. "He is coming with us to Jest. I've been talking to the children and others who will be accompanying us." Her eyes searched his face. "And you, will you not come also?"
"No, my lady." Dumarest softened his refusal. "I have other plans and Jest does not lie in the direction I wish to go."
"But I thought-"
"That I have no money?" He smiled. "That is true. I was not talking about leaving immediately."
"Then yon could come with us for a while at least," she insisted. "What have you to lose?"
Nothing but his life. Dumarest had met such interest before, and was wary of it. To her he was novel, someone to break the monotony, a stimulating personality. She showed interest, later that interest could turn into something stronger. If he yielded and took the opportunity he would invite an assassin. If he rejected it he would earn her hatred.
Keelah sensed his embarrassment and smiled. Brother Jeffrey came smoothly to the rescue.
"Could I help you, brother. Were you looking for someone?"
"The factor," said Dumarest. "Is he in Lowtown?"
The monk shook his head. "I believe he is dining on one of the ships." he volunteered. "A farewell party thrown by a group of tourists. I am not certain, but I will inquire if you wish."
"Thank you. Brother, but there is no urgency," said Dumarest. "I will see him later."
"And us?" Adrienne rested her hand on his arm. The touch was gentle, intimate. "Will we see you again, Earl?"
His eyes were direct. "Quite possibly, my lady."
"Why the doubt?" Her hand closed on his arm, the fingers digging into his flesh. "You will eat with us," she decided. "You cannot refuse."
He glimpsed a flash of scarlet and followed it with his eyes. The color of the cyber's robe was accentuated by the crimson of the sun so that he seemed blood upon blood, a mobile shadow as he walked from the landing field to the station.
"Earl?"
Dumarest remembered the woman. "I beg your pardon, my lady, but I must beg your indulgence. If you will be so kind as to do me a service?"
Adrienne smiled. "Of course, Earl."
"Please ask your husband to meet me in the factor's office at once, my lady. It is very important."
* * *
Del Meoud wasn't at a party. Dumarest could hear the murmur of voices as he approached the door of the office, the talk abruptly ending as he opened the door.
The factor looked at him from where he sat at his desk.
"What the-? Earl! Do you mind? I'm busy!"
"So am I." Dumarest closed the door and leaned back against the panel. Yeon stood against the window with his hands tucked in the wide sleeves of his robe.
"If this is business, I will leave," he said in his even monotone. "Our discussion, factor, can wait until later."
"Stay where you are, cyber." Dumarest remained leaning against the door. "My business concerns you." He heard the sound of footsteps from the passage outside and stepped from the door as it opened. Jocelyn entered.
"Dumarest." His eyes moved from the factor to the cyber. "I understood you wanted to see me on a matter of urgent importance."
"That is correct, my lord." Dumarest shut the door. He took a chair from where it stood against the wall and rested his right boot on the seat, his right hand inches from his knee. "I intend to punish the man who tried to take my life."
He head Meoud's sharp inhalation and saw the widening of Jocelyn's eyes. Only the cyber remained unmoved.