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Show "I slammed it not, ye murderous monkey! I slammed it not!" "Here, here," begged Phrapp. "Ye can take me away at first peep of dawn. The governor. . . 'twill then be back on l i n e . . ." "Be still!" they hissed. "...t'will of a surety be back on line at first peep of dawn," he continued, ignoring them. He looked thoughtful, working his lips soundlessly. The Provincial tried forcing the door. Then Chu manipulated the intricate lock. Naught would open it. By the mass! The two of them turned to look up at the narrow medieval window, no more than ten inches wide, high in the wall and barred as well-Chu's sanctum, after all, was but that of a Deputy AVM. They shrugged their shoulders up and capitulated. "Aye, take him away we will at first peep of dawn," said Chu resignedly. "The Governor will assuredly be up by t h e n . . . a y e . " She went back to her desk chair and flung herself into it. "One must needs bend," she said thinly, "when circumstances demand it." She began drumming her crimson nails on the desk top. "Get thee over there!" snapped the Provincial to Phrapp and he gave the big man a spiteful shove against the hardcopy shelves. Phrapp stumbled, then slid down into a sitting position against a row of account printouts, bound in YellowBison leather. He arranged his long legs to his comfort, and looked at the Provincial thoughtfully. "What planned thee on doing to the Governor's cable?" he asked. "'Tis no business of thine," growled the Provincial. He settled 169 |