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and ate breakfast. His mind was made up; during sleep he had arrived at a
decision.
His single hope of discovering Ramus Ymph resided in a judicious use of the
photograph. The logical starting point for an inquiry was the Tourist
Reception Center.
Jubal set his music-box toSkylark Song and departed the hotel. A conveyance
wafted him along the boulevard to the Tourist Center.
Jubal entered the dome. He waited his opportunity, then approached the young
woman with whom he had spoken previously. After a brief flicker of
uncertainty, she recognized him. Good day, Husler! You are enjoying your
visit?
To a certain extent. I am troubled because I can t locate my friend.
A pity! We certainly don t want dreary faces on the streets of Kyash. You
must seek diligently!
Yes, that is why I am here. Jubal tossed the photograph to the counter. If
you were to recall advising him&
The young woman examined the photograph with a negligent smile. Even so,
Husler, our rules prevent us from imparting information.
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Well, let me ask you this: do you recognize the photograph?
Since you ask, I seem to recall such a person approaching this desk. So
handsome a man impinges upon the memory.
Would you be good enough to make inquiries of your colleagues? There is no
rule concerning the exchange of information among yourselves.
That is true. Well, what s the harm? Now, as I recall& She took the
photograph to the clerk next along the counter who examined the photograph
first casually, then with interest. She nodded, and gestured across the room
toward the display racks, then turned and looked sharply toward Jubal. The two
spoke earnestly and finally the young woman returned to Jubal. My colleague
says that I am definitely mistaken and that we are under no conditions allowed
to discuss our patrons.
Very well, said Jubal. I appreciate your courtesy. He departed the
counter, and going to a news-stand pretended to study the periodicals on
display.
The second clerk had recognized Ramus Ymph. She was an older woman, with gaunt
cheeks and great masses of russet hair: not a person to overstep either the
letter or spirit of official regulations.
Jubal sauntered to the wall-cases and became interested in a display of
amethyst brooches, each carved with a toboggan and the legend Memento of
Ririjin . A case containing glazed ceramic representations of slimes next
claimed his attention, then a perfume counter offering attars from the
northern deserts. Case by case, counter by counter, Jubal worked his way
around the room, finally arriving at that section toward which the woman at
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the information counter had gestured. With keen interest Jubal examined the
contents of the racks; in some manner they concerned Ramus Ymph.
The section appeared devoted to textiles: silks with many-colored lusters of
the sort favored by the Eisels;
chemises with scenes and mottos; small souvenir wall-hangings, embroidered
with views of the Ririjin
Mountains; schematic maps of the Jewel Lakes. Perhaps Ramus Ymph had purchased
one of these decorated shirts? Nearby hung a pair of rugs, loomed in glowing
tones of blue, purple, green and black, in patterns of near-microscopic
intricacy. Jubal bent close, felt the nap, examined the knotting. Djan rugs.
Of very good, but not the best, quality. Nonetheless, superb rugs, and how did
they arrive at Kyash except through the agency of Ramus Ymph?
Jubal strolled on, and feigned fascinated interest in a set of cosmetic cases.
In due course, the sales-clerk, observing Jubal s interest, stepped from his
office and approached.
Charming items, are they not, Husler? The material is a beautiful synthetic
produced here at Kyash through the instrumentality of our wonderful catalysts.
The price is a mere nine SVU.
Jubal made an ambiguous sound. And these pantaloons they seem rather
striking.
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They will fit you to perfection. The color becomes you, as well.
Are they made here at Kyash?
Yes, most of what we sell is local produce.
Those two rugs are interesting articles. Are theylocal ?
No, as a matter of fact, they are from a world out around the Reach.
Meticulous work, but rather dull for our tastes, and perhaps not the best
quality.
You surprise me. I am ignorant in these matters and I assumed them to be made
very carefully.
Carefully made, yes; but our local rugs are better. We use a flat resilient
matrix containing entrapped air-
bubbles. It is called iseflin . Designs of choice are printed upon this
material; the resultant rug is inexpensive, durable and decorative. The two
rugs yonder are survivals from the hand-craft days.
And how did you obtain such odd specimens?
They were placed here by a certain Husler Arphenteil who deals in exotic
rugs. I warned him that his price was far too high, that they would never sell
in competition with our good Eisel floor coverings, but he was insistent.
I might be interested in one of them as a curio, if the price were right.
He asks six hundred SVU apiece.
What! For those small dull scraps? Jubal made a quick calculation. At Wysrod
such rugs would sell for perhaps three hundred toldecks. If an SVU and a
toldeck were of equal value, Ramus Ymph was pricing his rugs high. He said in
a scornful voice, In a reckless moment I might pay twenty SVU, but no more.
The clerk shrugged. Husler Arphenteil envisions no such reduction.
Perhaps yes, perhaps no, I will consult him. Where is he to be found?
I have no idea, Husler. He appears at irregular intervals.
The rugs will never sell at his price. How long have they been on display?
Almost six months. They arouse little interest, and of those who inquire,
everyone is appalled by the price.
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