Wanbecq sneered.
"You know," said Durham, "there's a law against changing the color of
your skin for the purpose of committing criminal acts. That's so the
wrong people won't get blamed. There's a law against carrying lethal
weapons. There is even, humorously enough, a law against espionage on
The Hub. You know I'm going to turn you over to the authorities?"
Again Wanbecq sneered. He was a hateful little man, but he looked so
young and so proudly martyred that Durham almost felt sorry for him.
Almost. Not quite.
"On second thought," he said, "I guess I'll save you both for Jubb."
That was a random shot, prompted by the memory of how their faces
looked when the shadow-thing had squealed that word at them. It hit.
Wanbecq's face became distorted with a fanatic hatred, and Wanbecq-ai,
rubbing her throat, croaked, "Then you _are_ in league with The Beast."
She pronounced that name with unmistakable capitals.
"Who said I was?" asked Durham.
"The darkbird came to help you. It told us Jubb had claimed you."
"It did," said Durham softly, "did it?" The dark birds will soon fly.
The dark birds merely refer to a couple of ships engaged in poaching.
That's what you say, Mr. Hawtree.
"What is a darkbird? You mean that shadow thing?"
"They are the servants, the familiars of The Beast," said Wanbecq. "The
instruments by which he hopes to enslave all humanity. Do not pretend,
Mr. Durham."
"I'm not. This Jubb--what is he beside The Beast?"
Wanbecq stared at him, and Durham made a menacing gesture. "Come on, I
want to know."
"Jubb is the ruler of Senya Dik."
"And Senya Dik?"
"Our sister planet. A dark and evil sister, plotting our destruction. A
demon sister, Mr. Durham. Have you ever heard of the Bitter Star?"
"I never heard of any of it but I find it very interesting. Go on."
"Whoever controls the darkbirds controls the Star, and whoever controls
the Star can destroy anything he wishes. This is Jubb." Wanbecq thrust
out his hands. "You're human, Mr. Durham. If you have sold your soul,
take it back again. Fight with us, not against us."
"I assume," said Durham, "that Jubb is not human."
Wanbecq-ai made an abrupt sound of disgust. "This is silly, Mr. Durham.
If you know so little why are you going to Nanta Dik at all?"
Durham did not answer. He did not have any answer to that one. Wondered
if ever he would have it.
"If you are so ignorant," continued Wanbecq-ai viciously, "of course
you don't know that the Terran consul Karlovic is over his head
in intrigue, conniving with Jubb in order to make this treaty of
Federation."