Astounding Science Fiction (UK Edition) — page 40: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

38 : ASTOUNDING SCIENCE-FICTION answer came, “I have heard that the Foundation.is rich.” “Rich? Certainly. But our riches are that which you refuse to take. Our atomic goods are worth—” “Your goods are worthless in that they lack the ancestral blessing. Your goods are wicked and accursed in that they lie under the ancestral interdict.” The sentences were intoned; the recitation of a formula. The Grand Master’s eyelids dropped, and he said with meaning, “You have nothing else of value?” ae The meaning was lost in the trader, “I don’t understand. What is it you want?” The Askonian’s hands spread apart, “You ask me to trade places with you, and make known to you my wants. I think not. Your colleague, it seems, must suffer the punish- ment set for sacrilege by the Askonian code. Death by gas. We are a just people. The poorest peasant, in like case, would suffer no more. I, myself, would suffer no less.” Devers mumbled _ hopelessly, “Your veneration, would it be permitted that I speak to the prisoner?” ‘““Askonian law,” said the Grand Master coldly, “allows no communication with a condemned man.” Mentally, Devers held his breath, “Your veneration, I ask you to be merciful to- wards a man’s soul, in the hour when his body stands forfeit. He has been separated from spiritual consolation in all the time that his life was in danger. Even now, he faces the prospect of going unprepared to the bosom of the Spirit that rules all.” The Grand Master said-slowly and sus- piciously, “You are a Tender of the Soul?” Devers dropped a humble head, “I have been so trained. In the empty expanses of space, the wandering traders need men like myself to care for the spiritual side of a life so given over to commerce and worldly pursuits.” The Askonian ruler sucked thoughtfully at his lower lip. “Every man should prepare his soul for his journey to his ancestral Spirits. Yet I had never thought you traders to be believers.” Eskel Gorov stirred on his couch and opened one eye as Lathan Devers entered the heavily-reinforced door. It boomed shut behind him. Gorov sputtered and came to his feet. “Devers! They sent you?” “Pure chance,” said Devers, bitterly, “or the work of my own personal malevolent demon. Item one, you get into a mess on Askone. Item two, my sales route, as known to the Board of Trade, carries me within fifty parsecs of the system at just the time of item one. Item three, we’ve worked to- gether before and the Board knows it. Isn’t that a sweet, inevitable set-up? The answer just pops out of a slot.” ; “Be careful,” said Gorov, tautly. ‘““There’ll be someone listening. Are you wearing a Field Distorter?” Devers indicated the ornamented bracelet that hugged his wrist and Gorov relaxed. Devers looked about him. The cell was bare, but large. It was well-lit and it lacked offensive odors. He said, “Not bad. They’re treating you with kid gloves.” Gorov brushed the remark aside, “Listen, how did you get down here? I’ve been in strict solitary for almost two weeks.” “Ever since I came, huh? Well, it seems the old bird who’s boss here has his weak points. He leans toward pious speeches, so [ took a chance that worked. I’m here in the capacity of your spiritual adviser. There’s something about a pious man, who will cheerfully cut your throat when it suits him, you know, that creates an ingrained reluct- ance to endanger the welfare of your soul. It’s just a piece of empirical psychology. A trader has to know a little of everything.” Gorov’s smile was sardonic. “And you’ve been to theological school as well. You’re all right, Devers. I’m glad they sent you. But the Grand Master doesn’t love my soul exclusively. Has he mentioned a ransom?” The trader’s eyes narrowed, “He hinted —barely. And he also threatened death by gas. I played safe, and dodged; it might easily have been a trap. So it’s extortion, is it? What is it he wants?” “Gold.” “Gold!” Devers frowned. itself? What for?” “It’s their medium of exchange.” “Is 1t? And where do I get gold from?” “Wherever you can. Listen to me; this is important. Nothing will happen to me as long as the Grand Master has the scent of gold in his nose. Promise it to him; as much as he asks for. Then go back to the Foundation, if necessary, to get it. When I’m free, we'll be escorted out of the system, and then we part company.” Devers stared disapprovingly, “And then you'll come back and try again.” “It’s my assignment to sell atomics to Askone.” . E “They'll get you before you’ve gone a parsec in space. You know that, T suppose.” “The metal CcomiclbooksS.c©