"He's a crook!" Dan cut in. "He's been robbing art galleries!"
"Keep calm, Dan," Blote murmured, "no need to be overly explicit."
The Agent turned to look the Trader over.
"Vegan, aren't you? I imagine you're the fellow I've been chasing."
"Who, me?" the bass voice rumbled. "Look, officer, I'm a home-loving
family man, just passing through. As a matter of fact--"
The uniformed creature nodded toward the paintings in the carrier.
"Gathered a few souvenirs, I see."
"For the wives and kiddy. Just a little something to brighten up the
hive."
"The penalty for exploitation of a sub-cultural anthropoid-occupied
body is stasis for a period not to exceed one reproductive cycle. If I
recall my Vegan biology, that's quite a period."
"Why, officer! Surely you're not putting the arm on a respectable
law-abiding being like me? Why, I lost a tentacle fighting in defense
of peace--" As he talked, Blote moved toward the carrier.
"--your name, my dear fellow," he went on. "I'll mention it to the
Commissioner, a very close friend of mine." Abruptly the Vegan reached
for a lever--
The long arms in the tight white jacket reached to haul him back
effortlessly. "That was unwise, sir. Now I'll be forced to recommend
subliminal reorientation during stasis." He clamped stout handcuffs on
Blote's broad wrists.
"You Vegans," he said, dusting his hands briskly. "Will you never
learn?"
* * * * *
"Now, officer," Blote said, "You're acting hastily. Actually, I'm
working in the interest of this little world, as my associate Dan
will gladly confirm. I have information which will be of considerable
interest to you. Snithian has stated that he is in the employ of the
Ivroy--"
"If the Ivroy's so powerful, why was it necessary to hire Snithian to
steal pictures?" Dan interrupted.
"Perish the thought, Dan. Snithian's assignment was merely to duplicate
works of art and transmit them to the Ivroy."
"Here," Snithian cut in. "Restrain that obscene mouth!"
Dzhackoon raised a hand. "Kindly remain silent, sir. Permit my
prisoners their little chat."
"You may release them to my custody," Snithian snapped.
Dzhackoon shook his head. "Hardly, sir. A most improper
suggestion--even from an agent of the Ivroy." He nodded at Dan. "You
may continue."
"How do you duplicate works of art?" Dan demanded.
"With a matter duplicator. But, as I was saying, Snithian saw an
opportunity to make extra profits by retaining the works for repeated
duplications and sale to other customers--such as myself."
"You mean there are other--customers--around?"
"I have dozens of competitors, Dan, all busy exporting your artifacts.
You are an industrious and talented race, you know."
"What do they buy?"
"A little of everything, Dan. It's had an influence on your designs
already, I'm sorry to say. The work is losing its native purity."
Dan nodded. "I have had the feeling some of this modern furniture was
designed for Martians."
"Ganymedans, mostly. The Martians are graphic arts fans, while your
automobiles are designed for the Plutonian trade. They have a baroque
sense of humor."
"What will the Ivroy do when he finds out Snithian's been
double-crossing him?"
"He'll think of something, I daresay. I blame myself for his defection,
in a way. You see, it was my carrier which made it possible for
Snithian to carry out his thefts. Originally, he would simply enter
a gallery, inconspicuously scan a picture, return home and process
the recording through the duplicator. The carrier gave him the idea
of removing works en masse, duplicating them and returning them the
next day. Alas, I agreed to join forces with him. He grew greedy. He
retained the paintings here and proceeded to produce vast numbers of
copies--which he doubtless sold to my competitors, the crook!"
Dzhackoon had whipped out a notebook and was jotting rapidly.
"Now, let's have those names and addresses," he said. "This will be the
biggest round-up in TDMS history."
"And the pinch will be yours, dear sir," Blote said. "I foresee early
promotion for you." He held out his shackled wrists. "Would you mind?"
"Well...." Dzhackoon unlocked the cuffs. "I think I'm on firm ground.
Just don't mention it to Inspector Spoghodo."
"You can't do that!" Snithian snapped. "These persons are dangerous!"
"That is my decision. Now--"
Snithian brought out the pistol with a sudden movement. "I'll brook no
interference from meddlers--"
* * * * *
There was a sound from the door. All heads turned. The girl Dan had
seen in the house stood in the doorway, glancing calmly from Snithian
to Blote to Dzhackoon. When her eyes met Dan's she smiled. Dan thought
he had never seen such a beautiful face--and the figure matched.
"Get out, you fool!" Snithian snapped. "No; come inside, and shut the
door."
"Leave the girl out of this, Snithian," Dan croaked.
"Now I'll have to destroy all of you," Snithian keened. "You first of
all, ugly native!" He aimed the gun at Dan.
"Put the gun down, Mr. Snithian," the girl said in a warm, melodious
voice. She seemed completely unworried by the grotesque aliens, Dan
noted abstractedly.