Gophlan and uttered a discreet cough.
‘May I be of assistance, captain?’
‘Ah -!’ The officer was startled; his hand flew to something stick-shaped under
his cloak, no doubt a tightly-rolled scroll. ‘Ah … Good-day to you! I have a
problem concerning which I desire to consult your master.’
‘He will be taking his noon meal,’ Jarveena said in a suitably humble tone. ‘Let
me conduct you to him.’
Melilot never cared to have either his meals or the naps which followed them
interrupted. But there was something about Aye-Gophlan’s behaviour which made
Jarveena certain that this was an exceptional occasion.
She opened the door of Melilot’s sanctum, announced the caller rapidly enough to
forestall her employer’s rage at being distracted from the immense broiled
lobster lying before him on a silver platter, and wished there were some means
of eavesdropping on what transpired.
But he was infinitely too cautious to risk that.
At best Jarveena had hoped for a few coins by way of bonus if Aye-Gophlan’s
business proved profitable. She was much surprised, therefore, to be summoned to
Melilot’s room half an hour later.
Aye-Gophlan was still present. The lobster had grown cold, untouched, but much
wine had been consumed.
On her entrance, the officer gave her a suspicious glare.
‘This is the fledgling you imagine could unravel the mystery?’ he demanded.
Jarveena’s heart sank. What devious subterfuge was Melilot up to now? But she
waited meekly for clear instructions. They came at once, in the fat man’s high
and slightly whining voice.