The Dogtown Tourist Agency Read Online Free PDF

been asked to inquire as to the possibility of local investment, and it might be that you prefer to keep such information to yourself.”
    Byrrhis acknowledged the pleasantry with a smile. “Not at all. Quite frankly, there isn’t a great deal of scope out here for investment. The tourist business isn’t all that big and may not get much bigger. Maz is no longer the novelty it used to be.”
    “What about import and export? Will the Gomaz buy Gaean goods?”
    “What we can sell them, they don’t want. What they do want, we’re not permitted to bring in. And then there’s the matter of payment. They don’t have any means of payment, except a few handicrafts and war-helmets. Not much chance for any large-scale operation.”
    “What of Istagam? It seems to be doing well.”
    Byrrhis responded with easy facility. “That’s an affair I know nothing about. It appears to be some sort of trans-shipment operation. Maz, of course, levies no taxes, which might mean a great deal to some struggling new business.”
    “You’re probably right. What about minerals?”
    “Nothing to speak of. The Gomaz take up some bog iron, but the deposits are pretty well used up. The Gomaz have been working them for a million years more or less. Maz is essentially a worn-out planet.”
    “What about business with the Liss? Or the Olefract?”
    Byrrhis gave a sour chuckle. “Are you joking?”
    “Naturally not. Trade is a normal condition, provided that both parties are able to profit.”
    “The Liss are xenophobic to the point of obsession. The Olefract are incomprehensible. We can deal with the Gomaz easier—far easier. Did you notice the road up to the plaza? The Kish and theDyads sent out five thousand bantlings, and the road was finished in three weeks. We paid them in pneumatic wheels for their wagons. But there’s no money to be made selling roads on Maz. If I had money to invest, I’d go to Vaire on Lusbarren and trawl for angel-fish. Do you know what they fetch a pound at Banacre?”
    “I know they’re expensive. At a guess, two SLU a pound.”
    “That’s close. And at Vaire just off the Dal coast, they swim in shoals.”
    “It’s an idea to bear in mind. I understand that you operate the air-car rental service.”
    “That’s correct. It’s a miserable business, what with maintenance and downtime and Triarch directives. A new one just came through: I can’t rent an air-car unless I get prior clearance from the Triarch. Some tourists decided to visit the Disik castle and barely escaped with their lives.”
    Hetzel frowned. “I need a clearance from Sir Estevan Tristo before I can hire an air-car?”
    “That’s correct, sir.”
    “I’ll get one this evening, if you’ll direct me to his house.”
    “Ha ha! You can’t put salt on Sir Estevan’s tail quite so easily. He performs official tasks only at the Triskelion.”
    “I’m in no great hurry. One more question: where can I locate Casimir Wuldfache?”
    Byrrhis’ face became absolutely impassive. “I am not acquainted with the gentleman.” He looked at his watch. “Sorry, I’ve got an appointment.”
    Hetzel rose to his feet. “Thanks for the information.” He went out into the square. The Tourist Agency was dark; the girl had gone home—wherever home might be. Hetzel returned up the Avenue of Lost Souls. Sunset was close at hand. Khis showed as an orange spark low behind the western murk; the plaza was dim and eery. Hetzel found it easy to imagine himself a wraith wandering a dead landscape…He was not wholly satisfied with the events of the day. He had been forced to ask questions, and thereby identify himself as a curious man. If Istagam were illicit, he must have sent tremors through the organization, and he might well encounter a reaction. Personal violence could not be excluded. Out on the plaza, Hetzel felt isolated and vulnerable; he quickened his pace. The Exhibitory loomed ahead; the prisoners could not be distinguished. Two dark figures