The Stranger - Max Frei [120]
Sir Maba Kalox was absolutely right. The steaming, ruby-hued beverage that appeared on the table had a flavor somewhat reminiscent of Elixir of Kaxar, of which I was particularly fond, infused with some kind of celestial flower.
“Well, at long last I get offered something decent in this house,” Juffin said gruffly, beginning to come around.
“I haven’t seen you this tired since the Code was adopted,” our host said, standing up and stretching creakily. “Why worry so much about these murders, Juffin? When the World might really have collapsed you were much calmer about it—and for good reason.”
“First, if I can’t solve a case within an hour, it makes me very irritable, you know that. Second, Max has gotten an idea into his head that I don’t like one bit. At the same time, it would explain everything. If we left the door open between Worlds—well, Maba, you realize it’s nothing to joke about.”
“The door between Worlds is never really closed, Juffin. It’s time you realized that. In any case, I’m at your service, on the condition that you both drink another cup of my concoction. I’m extremely vain, you know.”
“And I was worried that you had left all your human weaknesses far behind,” Juffin said, grinning. Then he turned to me, “Sir Max, don’t sit there looking so stiff and awkward. This may be the only house in Echo where you have no cause to feel shy.”
“I’m not feeling shy. I just always need a little time to—”
“Sniff things out?” Maba Kalox asked. His eyes were the kindest X-rays I had ever been subjected to.
“Something like that. It usually lasts just a short time, and then I realize that I’m already used to things. But sometimes—”
“Sometimes you understand that you’ll never get used to it. You don’t have to, but you try to swallow it anyway,” Maba said, finishing the end of my thought. “Well, I’d say that’s a very sensible approach to things. Sniff it out, Marvel. As for me, I’ve already sniffed you out.”
I nodded and reached for the second cup.
“You can check out whether Max is right or not, can’t you?” asked Juffin, drumming his fingers on the tabletop nervously.
“Of course. But why check it out? You already know he’s right, Juffin. You’re just tired. And not only because of this. But it was your choice—wasting your life on trivial nonsense.”
“Somebody has to do it,” Juffin grumbled.
“And not just anyone, but you in particular. So it’s all well and good. You want me to look into the matter, do you?”
“Of course I do. If a fellow from another World is roaming around Echo, I have to know at the very least whether he ended up here just by chance, or—”
“Why don’t you call a spade a spade, Juffin? What you really want to know is how many other uninvited guests are likely to fall into your warm embrace.”
“Well, you’ve got my number. Of course that’s what I want to know. That’s my job.”
“Fine. If you want a refill, the jug’s on the table. I hope you won’t be bored. I’ll be back shortly.”
With this, Sir Maba, much to my astonishment, crawled under the table. I stared at Juffin, dumbfounded.
“Look under the table and you’ll understand.”
I looked. There was nothing there. What else did I expect?
“The door between Worlds can be anywhere, Max,” Juffin said softly. “Even under the table. What difference does it make? But whoever wants to find it has to hide from the eyes of others. Maba needs only seconds. I’d need a minute or two. How long did you have to wait for that curious contraption that delivered you to my bedroom?”
“About an hour.”
“Not bad for a beginner. It’s just a matter of practice, son. Pour me some more of that potion. I think I’ve found just what the wiseman ordered for a weary man.”
“I’d like to get the recipe for this out of him,” I murmured dreamily.
“The recipe? It doesn’t exist. I know how Maba makes his concoctions—he just throws in everything that comes to hand.”
“Sinning Magicians, Juffin! That’s beyond me.”
“Me, too, for the time being. And I’ve been around on this earth a bit longer than you have, if you care to remember. I haven’t wasted