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.zard%20in%20Rhyme%2006%20-%20Haunted%20Wizard.html (63 of 329)20-2-2006 21:41:52 Stasheff, Christopher Wizard in Rhyme 6 Haunted Wizardcommitted the murder.""No, we don't," Matt agreed."At the moment, though, he's the most likely candidate.Of course, any ofthe soldiers in that inn could have slipped behind the prince for a few seconds.It had occurred to me thatthe wound could have been made by a spear point.""It is the right length," Sir Orizhan said, gazing off into space.But Sergeant Brock shook his head."I'll warrant that no soldier, Merovencian or Bretanglian, bore aspear or halberd into that inn.We leave them behind when we have liberty.""Yes, it would be rather cumbersome hauling an eight-foot shaft through the streets," Matt agreed."Idon't suppose a man might have cut a spear point off with a foot of shaft for holding it?"Knight and soldier exchanged surprised glances.Then Sergeant Brock said slowly, "It would have beenpossible, and such a sawn-off spear could easily have been hidden under a soldier's livery but it wouldbe quite unlikely.""So is the killing of a prince, though," Sir Orizhan said."You amaze me by your ingenuity, LordWizard.""Thank you," Matt said with a wry smile, "but as the sergeant points out, it's more ingenious thanprobable.Our hypothetical soldier would have had to carry that weapon around every time he went to atavern on the off chance that the prince might stop by for a brawl.""No, for some wenching, no more," Sir Orizhan pointed out."You yourself have shown that the theft ofthe purse was done deliberately to start the brawl.""Why, so I did, didn't I?" Matt said in surprise."And that the murderer waited until the royal family wason Bretanglian soil.Once they checked in at Alisande's castle, it wouldn't take much imagination torealize the princes would probably check out the high life in the continental capital."This time knight and soldier exchanged glances of puzzlement."Your terms are difficult to understand,Lord Wizard," Sir Orizhan complained."You get the gist, though, don't you? Once our murderer knew the royal family was going to visitMerovence, he saw his chance.Sawing off his hypothetical spearhead and taking it along on a night'scarousing would have been easy then.""So was the blow struck by magic," Sergeant Brock asked, "or by a stealthy hand."file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20krui.zard%20in%20Rhyme%2006%20-%20Haunted%20Wizard.html (64 of 329)20-2-2006 21:41:52 Stasheff, Christopher Wizard in Rhyme 6 Haunted Wizard"Yes," Matt said, "one or the other.We can't tell which until we catch up with the Man Who Went Outthe Window, catch him at a disadvantage, and cadge a few more facts out of him.""You truly think you can defeat him?" Sir Orizhan asked in disbelief."Sure, now that I know I'm up against another magic-worker." Matt spoke with far more confidence thanhe felt."I'll go in with a round of spells prepared this time and directions for you guys to knock himover the head while I've got him distracted.""So we are not here merely because Queen Alisande wished you to be guarded," Sir Orizhan said,staring into Matt's eyes with sudden intensity.Matt grinned back."She had her reasons for insisting, and I had mine for accepting.What bettercompany could I have than two men who have their own very strong and very personal reasons forwanting to catch the same man I'm after?"The dungeon door grated open and Papa stepped into the cell.Pargas jerked upright from the moldy pileof hay on which he'd been lying.The guard who'd come with Papa took a very obvious and verymenacing station by the door, spear very much in evidence.There wasn't much light coming through thelittle barred window high on the wall, but the guard managed to make his spear point catch it.Papa unfolded his camp stool and sat down five feet from the pimp."Good morning, Pargas.Did yousleep well?""If you don't count the bedbug bites and the rats scurrying by," Pargas grunted."Like will to like," Papa said grimly."I am Dr.Mantrell, a wizard in the service of Her Majesty.I wouldadvise you to tell me the truth, Pargas, so that I will have no reason to try to ferret it out of you."Pargas locked glares with Papa, then shuddered and looked away.Papa didn't like pimps.Then, too,Pargas had no doubt been thinking what manner of ferreting a wizard could do."I see we understand one another," Papa said."Now, tell me who cut your shoulder so badly as tomake you drop one club?""That corrupted prince who had disguised himself as a commoner!" Pargas spat."If he'd been honest asto what he was, I'd never dared fight him.""Perhaps he likes your trade no more than I do, and welcomed the excuse to punish you," Papa said."Welcomed the excuse to punish anyone! Laetri told me what he did to her.He enjoyed his cruelty, thatfile:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20krui.zard%20in%20Rhyme%2006%20-%20Haunted%20Wizard.html (65 of 329)20-2-2006 21:41:52 Stasheff, Christopher Wizard in Rhyme 6 Haunted Wizardone.I'm glad I had the chance to give him a knock or two before he died." Pargas glared at Papa indefiance."So you took pleasure in giving the prince what you thought he deserved?" Papa asked."That I did! But I didn't kill him, if that's what you're thinking.""You must have seen who moved behind his back, though.""If you think I noticed much but the man who came against me, you've never been in a fight," Pargassaid with contempt."I have been in combat," Papa said, his voice neutral, "but I was trained to perceive all that went onabout me, in case some second enemy should attack from the side.If you have not, you have shownmore luck than skill in your fights."Pargas darkened with anger and embarrassment."I'll fight you any day of the week, old man, and withno more weapons than these!" He held up his fists."Don't tempt me," Papa grated."So you saw no sign of anyone who came behind the prince?""There was a Merovencian soldier fighting a Bretanglian," Pargas said, "but they were busy enough witheach other.The Bretanglian must have won, for he turned his back to the prince and fought there awhile,guarding the rear, until someone knocked him away."Papa tensed."What kind of man did the knocking?""A Merovencian soldier, but he went right on by with two more behind him.If he stuck a knife into theprince's back, he must have done it awfully fast [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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.zard%20in%20Rhyme%2006%20-%20Haunted%20Wizard.html (63 of 329)20-2-2006 21:41:52 Stasheff, Christopher Wizard in Rhyme 6 Haunted Wizardcommitted the murder.""No, we don't," Matt agreed."At the moment, though, he's the most likely candidate.Of course, any ofthe soldiers in that inn could have slipped behind the prince for a few seconds.It had occurred to me thatthe wound could have been made by a spear point.""It is the right length," Sir Orizhan said, gazing off into space.But Sergeant Brock shook his head."I'll warrant that no soldier, Merovencian or Bretanglian, bore aspear or halberd into that inn.We leave them behind when we have liberty.""Yes, it would be rather cumbersome hauling an eight-foot shaft through the streets," Matt agreed."Idon't suppose a man might have cut a spear point off with a foot of shaft for holding it?"Knight and soldier exchanged surprised glances.Then Sergeant Brock said slowly, "It would have beenpossible, and such a sawn-off spear could easily have been hidden under a soldier's livery but it wouldbe quite unlikely.""So is the killing of a prince, though," Sir Orizhan said."You amaze me by your ingenuity, LordWizard.""Thank you," Matt said with a wry smile, "but as the sergeant points out, it's more ingenious thanprobable.Our hypothetical soldier would have had to carry that weapon around every time he went to atavern on the off chance that the prince might stop by for a brawl.""No, for some wenching, no more," Sir Orizhan pointed out."You yourself have shown that the theft ofthe purse was done deliberately to start the brawl.""Why, so I did, didn't I?" Matt said in surprise."And that the murderer waited until the royal family wason Bretanglian soil.Once they checked in at Alisande's castle, it wouldn't take much imagination torealize the princes would probably check out the high life in the continental capital."This time knight and soldier exchanged glances of puzzlement."Your terms are difficult to understand,Lord Wizard," Sir Orizhan complained."You get the gist, though, don't you? Once our murderer knew the royal family was going to visitMerovence, he saw his chance.Sawing off his hypothetical spearhead and taking it along on a night'scarousing would have been easy then.""So was the blow struck by magic," Sergeant Brock asked, "or by a stealthy hand."file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20krui.zard%20in%20Rhyme%2006%20-%20Haunted%20Wizard.html (64 of 329)20-2-2006 21:41:52 Stasheff, Christopher Wizard in Rhyme 6 Haunted Wizard"Yes," Matt said, "one or the other.We can't tell which until we catch up with the Man Who Went Outthe Window, catch him at a disadvantage, and cadge a few more facts out of him.""You truly think you can defeat him?" Sir Orizhan asked in disbelief."Sure, now that I know I'm up against another magic-worker." Matt spoke with far more confidence thanhe felt."I'll go in with a round of spells prepared this time and directions for you guys to knock himover the head while I've got him distracted.""So we are not here merely because Queen Alisande wished you to be guarded," Sir Orizhan said,staring into Matt's eyes with sudden intensity.Matt grinned back."She had her reasons for insisting, and I had mine for accepting.What bettercompany could I have than two men who have their own very strong and very personal reasons forwanting to catch the same man I'm after?"The dungeon door grated open and Papa stepped into the cell.Pargas jerked upright from the moldy pileof hay on which he'd been lying.The guard who'd come with Papa took a very obvious and verymenacing station by the door, spear very much in evidence.There wasn't much light coming through thelittle barred window high on the wall, but the guard managed to make his spear point catch it.Papa unfolded his camp stool and sat down five feet from the pimp."Good morning, Pargas.Did yousleep well?""If you don't count the bedbug bites and the rats scurrying by," Pargas grunted."Like will to like," Papa said grimly."I am Dr.Mantrell, a wizard in the service of Her Majesty.I wouldadvise you to tell me the truth, Pargas, so that I will have no reason to try to ferret it out of you."Pargas locked glares with Papa, then shuddered and looked away.Papa didn't like pimps.Then, too,Pargas had no doubt been thinking what manner of ferreting a wizard could do."I see we understand one another," Papa said."Now, tell me who cut your shoulder so badly as tomake you drop one club?""That corrupted prince who had disguised himself as a commoner!" Pargas spat."If he'd been honest asto what he was, I'd never dared fight him.""Perhaps he likes your trade no more than I do, and welcomed the excuse to punish you," Papa said."Welcomed the excuse to punish anyone! Laetri told me what he did to her.He enjoyed his cruelty, thatfile:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20krui.zard%20in%20Rhyme%2006%20-%20Haunted%20Wizard.html (65 of 329)20-2-2006 21:41:52 Stasheff, Christopher Wizard in Rhyme 6 Haunted Wizardone.I'm glad I had the chance to give him a knock or two before he died." Pargas glared at Papa indefiance."So you took pleasure in giving the prince what you thought he deserved?" Papa asked."That I did! But I didn't kill him, if that's what you're thinking.""You must have seen who moved behind his back, though.""If you think I noticed much but the man who came against me, you've never been in a fight," Pargassaid with contempt."I have been in combat," Papa said, his voice neutral, "but I was trained to perceive all that went onabout me, in case some second enemy should attack from the side.If you have not, you have shownmore luck than skill in your fights."Pargas darkened with anger and embarrassment."I'll fight you any day of the week, old man, and withno more weapons than these!" He held up his fists."Don't tempt me," Papa grated."So you saw no sign of anyone who came behind the prince?""There was a Merovencian soldier fighting a Bretanglian," Pargas said, "but they were busy enough witheach other.The Bretanglian must have won, for he turned his back to the prince and fought there awhile,guarding the rear, until someone knocked him away."Papa tensed."What kind of man did the knocking?""A Merovencian soldier, but he went right on by with two more behind him.If he stuck a knife into theprince's back, he must have done it awfully fast [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]