‘What? Oh. Here,’ and he drew out a pouch, ‘In full Kruppe, you are witness to this, so don’t try anything, Leff. Not you either, Scotch. Walk it straight over to Gareb’s. Get the chit saying I’m cleared, too. Then come straight hack here and I’ll buy you all lunch.’
Scorch was looking back and forth between Torvald and Kruppe, and finally of the latter he asked, ‘What was that you said about Gareb?’
Kruppe swallowed, licked his lips, and said, ‘Why, only that a dastardly thief broke into his estate last night and stole his entire hoard. The poor man! And ’tis said the thief stole much more than that-why, the wife’s dignity, too, or at least her innocence in so far as nonmarital intercourse is concerned.’
‘Hold on,’ Leff said. ‘The thief slept with Gareb’s wife? Where was Gareb?’
‘At a moneylenders meeting, Kruppe understands, discussing important matters and, no doubt, eating his fill of grapes and whatnot.’
‘Well then,’ Torvald Nom said, ‘won’t he be happy I’ve returned to repay my debt.’
‘Won’t he just!’ said Kruppe, beaming once more.
Leff took the bag of coins and peered inside. ‘All there?’
‘All there,’ Torvald replied.’
Leff rose and said, ‘Let’s get this done with, Scorch.’
When the two were gone, Torvald Nom sat back in his chair and smiled at Kruppe.
Who smiled back.
And when that was done with, Kruppe collected another pastry and held it be-fore his mouth, in order to more closely observe its delight, and perhaps torture it a moment before his mouth opened like a bear’s jagged maw. Poised thus, he paused to glance over at Torvald Nom. ‘Upstairs, dear sir, you shall find, if you so desire, a cousin of renown. Like you, suddenly returned to fair Darujhistan. None other than Rallick, among the Noms of House Nom one might presume a sheep blacker than you. Indeed, the very black of nadir, the Abyss, whilst you might re-veal a lesser black, such as charcoal. Two sheep, then, in this very inn, of a very dark hue-why, could Kruppe but witness such a meeting!’ And time now to lift an admonishing finger. ‘But listen, dear friend Torvald Nom, most clandestine is Rallick’s return, yes? Seal thy lips, I beg you!’
‘He’s in hiding? Who from?’