The Stranger - Max Frei [138]
I really understood almost nothing of these explanations, though a thing or two did actually sink in.
“But that ghost, the one that lived in Xolomi, that’s what he called Lonli-Lokli! He said to me, ‘You brought the Tipfinger here, fellow!’ Could our Shurf also really be—”
Sir Maba burst out laughing.
“Ah, Maxlilgl Annox! Don’t give it another thought. That was his favorite curse. He called nearly all adepts of other Orders ‘Tipfingers.’ And your Lonli-Lokli, back in the day, as far as I know, was . . . where did he seek the Power, Juffin?”
“In the Order of the Holey Cup.”
“That’s right, the Mad Fisherman. He made some heavy-duty mischief in his day.”
“Sir Lonli-Lokli? Heavy-duty mischief?” I was flabbergasted.
“Why are you so surprised, Max? People change. Take a look at yourself. Where is the pathetic little chap who trembled at the approaching footsteps of his boss?” Sir Maba said with a grin.
“This is true.”
“By the way, I saw how you put the old man out of his misery. The waterfall was priceless! That was the best show I’ve seen since the beginning of this dreary Code Epoch.”
“You saw that?” I was becoming accustomed to this nature of surprise.
“Of course! It’s my hobby—keeping track of the fates of my former colleagues. That’s why I couldn’t pass up such a performance. But don’t you entertain any illusions about the future, young man. I never intervene. I only observe. That’s why Juffin Hully exists—to intervene. For the time being we have some differences of opinion on life.”
“Which has never prevented you from accepting fees for your, let us say, ‘consultations,’” Juffin interposed drily.
“Of course not. I love money. It’s so pretty. Actually, as for your personal Tipfinger, Max—you’ll have to kill it sooner or later. It’s not good to litter the Universe with any old thing. Besides, a Tipfinger in the Door between Worlds is an unprecedented outrage. There you have my consultation; and just try to accuse me of taking money from the King’s coffers without deserving it!”
“Oh, that’s a good one. Suddenly he’s the guardian of the State Treasury!”
“How does one kill a Tipfinger?” I asked.
“When you kill it, you’ll know it. Don’t worry, Max. Theoretically, the matter can wait for a few hundred years. But sooner or later, you just won’t have any other choice. Life is very wise. By that time, you’ll certainly know what to do.”
“Well, if you say so, then I will,” I said. “You have confused me once and for all.”
“That’s how every good story must end, Max. When a person stops understanding something, he’s on the right track,” Juffin assured me. “We won’t take any more of your valuable time, Maba. All the more since we’ve already eaten everything up. Don’t forget: you promised to dream me up tonight.”
“I won’t forget. Farewell.”
I was expecting some kind of escapade or outburst, but nothing of the sort happened. Sir Maba Kalox left the living room by the same door he had entered, and we went out into the front hall.
“Have I been promoted?” I asked. “Have I been accepted into the ranks? Somehow there don’t seem to be any more surprises in store.”
“Are you sure, Max?” Juffin said, smiling, as he threw open the door into the garden.
“Of course, I—” I stepped over the threshold and froze. Instead of the garden we found ourselves in our own office.
“Well, what do you think of that?” Sir Juffin Hully winked at me. “Never let down your guard when you’re dealing with Maba Kalox.”
I sat down in my chair and started to practice those very breathing