Space Opera Read Free Page A

Dame Isabel had allowed. “Exactly what are the circumstances?”
    “After last night’s performance I escorted the troupe up to the theater penthouse. They fed themselves and seemed comfortably settled for the night — although I must say they all seemed rather excited — almost mischievous. I’d promised them an excursion — a sail on Mr. Saverino’s yacht — and I assumed that this was behind their excitement … This morning — they just weren’t there. The porter had allowed no one to leave by the street exit, the deck attendant swears no air vehicles arrived or departed.”
    “This is a serious business,” said Dame Isabel. “One in which my personal reputation is involved. I must say that I am not completely satisfied.”
    “You’re not?” growled Gondar. “Why shouldn’t you be? You’ve got every cent we’ve made over the last three months. You’ve no cause for complaint.”
    “It appears that my precautions were absolutely in order. As you know, there has been a certain amount of cynical speculation regarding the authenticity of the troupe. I have always ignored it, but now I am forced to wonder exactly why, and exactly how, the troupe disappeared.”
    Gondar’s dour expression never changed. “I will be happy to end our association,” he said. “You need merely turn over to me my money.”
    “I will do nothing of the sort,” said Dame Isabel. “I insisted on the arrangement for just this reason: that if ever there were a suggestion of fraud or trickery, I would be in a position to refund all money involved. As of now, I am not satisfied. You have told me very little of the planet ‘Rlaru’, and before I release any funds I must be absolutely sure of my position.”
    Gondar gave a grudging nod. “Will you be home this morning?”
    “In the face of an emergency like this, naturally.”
    “I’ll be there in half an hour.” The visiphone went dark. Dame Isabel turned to Roger with a snort of dissatisfaction. “Sometimes it seems that all the world is false and coarse.”
    Roger rose to his feet. “Since I have an —”
    “Sit down, Roger. I will need you here.”
    Roger resumed his seat.
    Adolph Gondar was presently announced by Holker. He wore a somber suit of dark blue with white piping and scarlet gores at the waist, a loose dark blue cap with a spaceman’s emblem. He carried a small case which he set to the side.
    “Will you take coffee?” asked Dame Isabel. “Or do you prefer tea?”
    “Neither,” said Gondar. He looked at Roger, then strode forward, to stand across the table from Dame Isabel, who this morning wore a handsome robe of lace and blue satin. “Sit down, Mr. Gondar, if you please.”
    Gondar drew forward a chair. “I feel,” said Gondar, “that I should have my money. I have performed according to the terms of our —”
    Dame Isabel said, “This is what I wish to determine. Our agreement includes a guarantee against ‘misrepresentation, inaccuracy or suppression of fact’. I have meticulously observed these conditions —”
    “And so have I!”
    “Complete frankness has not existed. You have practised a studious secretiveness, and withheld so much significant fact that I consider our agreement vitiated.”
    Gondar recoiled in shock. “What do you mean by that?”
    “I mean that our agreement is void. I refuse to release the money which has been earned by the troupe.”
    Gondar’s face became pale and set. “I told you nothing but exact fact.”
    “But have you told me everything? Exactly how and where did you recruit the Ninth Company? Why did they disappear? Where are they now?”
    Gondar chose to answer the last question. “In my opinion they’ve returned home.”
    “To ‘Rlaru’?” Dame Isabel’s tone was skeptical.
    “Yes. How I don’t know. These people are adept in all sorts of techniques and sciences we know nothing about. I think they just decided to go home and went.”
    “By some psychic process, I presume?” Dame