The Moon Moth and Other Stories Read Online Free PDF Page A

“You’d lose your shirt betting on Roaring Cape. All their veterans went in the Pyrite campaign.”
    Magnus Ridolph said thoughtfully, “The Roaring Cape might win, if they received a small measure of assistance.”
    Clark’s pink face expanded in alarm like a trick mask. “I’m an officer of the Commonwealth! I couldn’t be party to a thing like that! It’s unthinkable!”
    Magnus Ridolph said judiciously, “Certainly the proposal is not one to enter upon hastily; it must be carefully considered. In a sense, the Commonwealth might be best served by the ousting of Shadow Valley Inn from the planet, or at least the present management. Financial depletion is as good a weapon as any. If, incidentally, we were to profit, not an eyebrow in the universe could be justifiably raised. Especially since the part that you might play in the achievement would be carefully veiled…”
    Clark shoved his hands deep in his pockets, stared a long moment at Magnus Ridolph. “I could not conceivably put myself in the position of siding with one tumble against another. If I did so, what little influence I have on Kokod would go up in smoke.”
    Magnus Ridolph shook his head indulgently. “I fear you imagine the two of us carrying lances, marching in step with the warriors, fighting in the first ranks. No, no, my friend, I assure you I intend nothing quite so broad.”
    “Well,” snapped Clark, “just what do you intend?”
    “It occurred to me that if we set out a few pellets of a sensitive explosive, such as fulminate of mercury, no one could hold us responsible if tomorrow the Vine Hill armies blundered upon them, and were thereby thrown into confusion.”
    “How would we know where to set out these pellets? I should think—”
    Magnus Ridolph made an easy gesture. “I profess an amateur’s interest in military strategy; I will assume responsibility for that phase of the plan.”
    “But I have no fulminate of mercury,” cried Clark, “no explosive of any kind!”
    “But you do have a laboratory?”
    Clark assented reluctantly. “Rather a makeshift affair.”
    “Your reagents possibly include fuming nitric acid and iodine?”
    “Well—yes.”
    “Then to work. Nothing could suit our purpose better than nitrogen iodide.”
    The following afternoon Magnus Ridolph sat in the outdoor café overlooking the vista of Shadow Valley. His right hand clasped an egg-shell goblet of Methedeon wine, his left held a mild cigar. Turning his head, he observed the approach of Julius See and, a few steps behind, like a gaunt red-headed ghost, his partner Bruce Holpers.
    See’s face was compressed into layers: a smear of black hair, creased forehead, barred eyebrows, eyes like a single dark slit, pale upper lip, mouth, wide sallow chin. Magnus Ridolph nodded affably. “Good evening gentlemen.”
    See came to a halt, as two steps later, did Bruce Holpers.
    “Perhaps you can tell me the outcome of today’s battle?” asked Magnus Ridolph. “I indulged myself in a small wager, breaking the habit of many years, but so far I have not learned whether the gods of chance have favored me.”
    “Well, well,” said See throatily. “‘The gods of chance’ you call yourself.”
    Magnus Ridolph turned him a glance of limpid inquiry. “Mr. See, you appear disturbed; I hope nothing is wrong?”
    “Nothing special, Ridolph. We had a middling bad day—but they average out with the good ones.”
    “Unfortunate…I take it, then, that the favorite won? If so, my little wager has been wiped out.”
    “Your little 25,000 munit wager, eh? And half a dozen other 25,000 munit wagers placed at your suggestion?”
    Magnus Ridolph stroked his beard soberly. “I believe I did mention that I thought the odds against Roaring Cape interesting, but now you tell me that Vine Hill has swept the field.”
    Bruce Holpers uttered a dry cackle. See said harshly, “Come off it, Ridolph. I suppose you’re completely unaware that a series of mysterious