"In spite of our efforts, the honor of gaining the enemy standard went to a daredevil squad from Sea Stone, which scaled a tree to the roof and so bore away the trophy. The defenders, ignorant of, or ignoring the fact that the standard had been taken, Broke the code yet again, this time by using tremendous blasts of water. The next time Shell Strand wars with Big Square Tumble we shall insist on one of the Conventions allowing any and all weapons; otherwise we place ourselves at a disadvantage.
"Victorious, our army, together with the troops of Sea Stone, Rock River and Rainbow Cleft, assembled in the proper formations and marched off to our home tumbles. Even as we departed, the great Black Comet Tumble dropped from the sky to vomit further warriors for Big Square. However, there was no pursuit, and unmolested we returned to the victory rituals."
Captain Bussey of the Phoenix Line packet Archaeornix, which had arrived as the Kokod warriors marched away, surveyed the wreckage with utter astonishment. "What in God's name happened to you?"
Julius See stood panting, his forehead clammy with sweat. "Get me guns," he cried hoarsely. "Get me a blaster; I'll wipe out every damn hive on the planet..."
Holpers came loping up, arms flapping the air. "They've completely demolished us; you should see the lobby, the kitchen, the day rooms! A shambles - "
Captain Bussey shook his head in bewilderment. "Why in the world should they attack you? They're supposed to be a peaceable race... except toward each other, of course."
"Well, something got into them," said See, still breathing hard. "They came at us like tigers - beating us with their damn little sticks. ... I finally washed them out with firehoses."
"What about your guests?" asked Captain Bussey in sudden curiosity.
See shrugged. "I don't know what happened to them. A bunch ran off up the valley, smack into another army. I understand they got beat up as good as those that stayed."
"We couldn't even escape in our aircraft," complained Holpers. "Not one of them would start..."
A mild voice interrupted. "Mr. See, I have decided against purchasing your air-car, and have returned it to the hangar."
See slowly turned, the baleful aura of his thoughts almost tangible. "You, Ridolph... I'm beginning to see daylight..."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Come on, spill it!" See took a threatening step forward.
Captain Bussey said, "Careful, See, watch your temper."
See ignored him. "What's your part in all this, Ridolph?"
Magnus Ridolph shook his head in bewilderment. "I'm completely at a loss. I rather imagine that the natives learned of your gambling on events they considered important, and decided to take punitive steps."
The ornamental charabanc from the ship rolled up; among the passengers was a woman of notable bust, correctly tinted, massaged, coiffed, scented and decorated. "Ah!" said Magnus Ridolph. "Mrs. Chickering! Charming!"
"I could stay away no longer," said Mrs. Chickering. "I had to know how - our business was proceeding."
Julius See leaned forward curiously. "What kind of business do you mean?"
Mrs. Chickering turned him a swift contemptuous glance; then her attention was attracted by two women who came hobbling from the direction of the inn. She gasped, "Olga! Altamira! What on Earth - "
"Don't stand there gasping," snapped Mrs. Chaim. "Get us clothes. Those frightful savages tore us to shreds."
Mrs. Chickering turned in confusion to Magnus Ridolph. "Just what has happened! Surely you can't have - "
Magnus Ridolph cleared his throat. "Mrs. Chickering, a word with you aside." He drew her out of earshot of the others. "Mrs. Chaim and Mrs. Borgage - they are friends of yours?"
Mrs. Chickering cast an anxious glance over her shoulder. "I can't understand the situation at all," she muttered feverishly. "Mrs. Chaim is the president of the Woman's League and Mrs. Borgage is treasurer. I can't understand them running around with their clothing in shreds..."
Magnus Ridolph said candidly, "Well, "Mrs. Chickering, in carrying out your instructions, I allowed scope to the natural combativeness of the natives, and perhaps they - "
"Martha," came Mrs. Chaim's grating voice close at hand, "what is your connection with this man? I have reason to suspect that he is mixed up in this terrible attack. Look at him!" Her voice rose furiously. "They haven't laid a finger on him! And the rest of us - "
Martha Chickering licked her lips. "Well, Olga, dear, this is Magnus Ridolph. In accordance with last month's resolution, we hired him to close down the gambling here at the inn."
Magnus Ridolph said in his suavest tones, "Following which, Mrs. Chaim and Mrs. Borgage naturally thought it best to come out and study the situation at first hand; am I right?"
Mrs. Chaim and Mrs. Borgage glared. Mrs. Chaim said, "If you think, Martha Chickering, that the Woman's League will in any way recognize this rogue - "
"My dear Mrs. Chaim," protested Magnus Ridolph.
"But, Olga - I promised him a thousand munits a week!"
Magnus Ridolph waved his hand airily. "My dear Mrs. Chickering, I prefer that any sums due me be distributed among worthy charities. I have profited during my short stay here - "
"See!" came Captain Bussey's voice. "For God's sake, man, control yourself!"
Magnus Ridolph, turning, found See struggling in the grasp of Captain Bussey. "Try and collect!" See cried out to Magnus Ridolph. He angrily thrust Captain Bussey's arms aside, stood with hands clenching and unclenching. "Just try and collect!"
"My dear Mr. See, I have already collected."
"You've done nothing of the sort - and if I catch you in my boat again, I'll break your scrawny little neck!"
Magnus Ridolph held up his hand. "The hundred thousand munits I wrote off immediately; however, there were six other bets which I placed by proxy; these were paid, and my share of the winnings came to well over three hundred thousand munits. Actually, I regard this sum as return of the capital which I placed with the Outer Empire Investment and Realty Society, plus a reasonable profit. Everything considered, it was a remunerative as well as instructive investment."
"Ridolph," muttered See, "one of these days - "
Mrs. Chaim shouldered forward. "Did I hear you say 'Outer Empire Realty and Investment Society'?"
Magnus Ridolph nodded. "I believe that Mr. See and Mr. Holpers were responsible officials of the concern."
Mrs. Chaim took two steps forward. See frowned uneasily; Bruce Holpers began to edge away. "Come back here!" cried Mrs. Chaim. "I have a few words to say before I have you arrested."
Magnus Ridolph turned to Captain Bussey. "You return to Methedeon on schedule, I assume?"
"Yes," said Captain Bussey dryly.
Magnus Ridolph nodded. "I think I will go aboard at once, since there will be considerable demand for passage."
"As you wish," said Captain Bussey.
"I believe No. 12 is your best cabin?"
"I believe so," said Captain Bussey.
"Then kindly regard Cabin No. 12 as booked."
"Very well, Mr. Ridolph."
Magnus Ridolph looked up the mountainside. "I noticed Mr. Pilby running along the ridge a few minutes ago. I think it would be a real kindness if he were notified that the war is over."
"I think so too," said Captain Bussey. They looked around the group. Mrs. Chaim was still engaged with Julius See and Bruce Holpers. Mrs. Borgage was displaying her bruises to Mrs. Chickering. No one seemed disposed to act on Magnus Ridolph's suggestion.