[WFRP] The Hour After Midnight (II)

[Exeson]

Ithelus

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Ithelus shrugs, 'Can't really give you an answer to that. What I can tell you is the man just defeated and most likely killed a Witch Hunter. He is a single minded bounty hunter and he is insane. From downstairs the man has unfinished business with you. I'd either make peace or move shop, and no matter how many of my bones you break that won't change.'

[LCP]

Raffy

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Looking warily at the Sparrowhawk, the man closest to his first pistol raised his voice in a shout.

“BOSS!” he called. There was a long silence – then, slowly, thumping footsteps began to descend the stairway.

OOC: The turpentine is mostly cleaned up, but there’s still some left.

[hr]

Ithelus

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Kleiner gave an ugly, snorting laugh.

“Because of some kid?” he said, incredulously. “Maybe what you say’s true. Maybe he got lucky. Don’t stop three or four of my lads weighing him down to go walkin’ on the bottom of the Delb, if he wants to make trouble. In my experience, Mister Ith, there ain’t no man who can argue with a blackjack in the dark. No elf, neither, for that matter.”

From downstairs, there was a sudden holler: it was the word “Boss!”, shouted up by one of the goons on the ground floor. Furrowing his brow, Kleiner struck the biggest bodyguard next to him irritably with the back of his hand.
“Bruno! Go find out what it is.”

Nodding, the bearded giant of a man pushed past the bodyguard blocking Ithelus’ escape, beginning to lumber down the stairs.

[Exeson]

Ithelus

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Ithelus nods, 'well, I haven't actually had a chance to talk to the man yet, so I think it is a bit early for judgement of such a... permanent kind.'

[Another_Poet]

Raffy the Sparrowhawk

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Raffy simply darts to the stairs and begins to ascend. He keeps one pistol on those behind him and points the other upstairs as he climbs.

As soon as he sees whoever is coming down, he flashes them his most hawkish grin. With pistol in hand he gestures for them to go back up, and ascends at a careful pace behind them.

[LCP]

Raffy

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Ascending the staircase, Raffy met the giant of a man he had spoken to scant hours ago coming the other way. The brute stopped, eyes immediately drawn to the pistol in the Sparrowhawk’s hand – slowly, he took a step back, raising his spade-like paws.

“Boss,” he called back. “It’s him.”

[hr]

Ithelus

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Kleiner’s temper seemed to be fraying.

“What you think, Mister Ith, ain’t exactly my concern. What’s my concern is –“

“Boss,” came Bruno’s voice, from out of sight on the stairs. “It’s him.”

There was something extremely ominous about the bodyguard’s tone.

[Another_Poet]

Raffy

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Goes up, driving the man back with threat of pistol-shot.

((Note: once topside I want to stay in the very top of the stairwell; no entering the room and letting myself be cut off.))

[Exeson]

Ithelus

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Head whipping round at the tone Ithelus draws his sickle and a dagger, backing up against a wall or as close to it as possible.

'Want to make a bet, sir?' He says with a smile, although all humour is gone from his voice.

[LCP]

Raffy

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Hands still raised, the big man began to back up the stairs, his eyes not leaving the gun.

Slowly, Raffy emerged into the cluttered attic room where Kleiner held his court. The man himself sat in his improvised sedan chair in the centre of the room, three bodyguards clustered around him - evidently he had called in reinforcements since Raffy's visit that morning.

"Sorry boss," said the big man, stepping aside to let Raffy out of the stairwell. Kleiner nodded, not taking his eyes off his unexpected guest. "Not your fault, Bruno." He blinked. "Mister 'Sparrowhawk', ain't it? To what do we owe this... repeated pleasure?"

[hr]

Ithelus

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OOC: Read Raffy's spoiler above. I keep you in separate spoilers only so Poet doesn't know you're there yet.

[Another_Poet]

Raffy the Sparrowhawk

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"The very same," Raffy acknowledges, somewhat out of breath. "I just came by to see my new friend. A social call, you know. I hope I didn't make too much of a mess earlier."

[-Sentinel-]

Pieter

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"Sergeant Halbermann, I suppose. In some ways, he's scarier than the witch hunter." Pieter grimaced. "Jagrun at least was a professional, with principles, unlike the Hounds. If Maria finds herself in their hands without a man like him to watch over their behavior..." He shuddered. "At least his death should buy us some time, until another Templar comes. We must meet and plan something. Not here, though. Not at the Tongs either. Is Magda's house safe?"

[Exeson]

Ithelus

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Ithelus waits a few heartbeats then swiftly but gently moves forward behind Raffy, his sickle swinging up to rest on the man's throat and a cold look in his eyes.

'You killed him then I guess? Was it worth Illiiya's life? Please, give me a reason to cast away my last few threads of self restraint.'

[LCP]

Raffy & Ithelus

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OOC: Please read Ithelus' spoiler above, then this one.

IC: Kleiner smirked.

"Looks like maybe you ought to be more careful about barging into peoples' homes uninvited, Mister Sparrowhawk," he said. He nodded to Ithelus. "Go on, Mister Ith. You say your piece."

[hr]

Pieter

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”That’s as may be, but at least he’s stupider,” said Karl. “Magda’s place? Yeah, ought to be, but there’s not space for many of us in that little room. She might not like us barging in when she’s working.”

[Another_Poet]

OOC to Ex and LCP:

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Not sure how that is possible.

((Note: once topside I want to stay in the very top of the stairwell; no entering the room and letting myself be cut off.))

(Here.)

I'll wait for adjudication to post.

[Another_Poet]

Raffy

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Raffy is taken aback as Ith rushes him inside the stairwell and gets a knife to his throat. At Kleiner's threat he gives a strangled laugh.

"You think you can handle two balls of lead inside you, Kleiner? He cuts me, I shoot. There's only one of us here who doesn't care about dying."

His eyes roll to one side to try to get a look at Ithelus. "Greetings, partner," he manages.

[goblinpaladin]

Lothar, Iliiya, Cap'n Marius et al

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Lothar, warily watching the new cleric in this Sierck production, stepped over to Marius. He gave a nod to the guard who'd placed a hand on his shoulder, but didn't seem concerned about it.

In a low voice, he said: "Captain. I know Illiiya's innocent o' the killings- I was with her last night, playing dice at the Carter's. I know how it looks, sir, but she didn't even twitch a finger." He swallowed, glancing first at his elven friend, then the Lector. "There were others, they'd verify."

"If we lock her up, and post two people to watch her all night -one man, an' a woman to make sure she's not sorcering anyone- and yet there are still murders afoot, we know it ain't her." He frowned and scratched at his wounded leg. "We know it weren't the Templar, neither, but we already knew that. Raffy's gone nuts- my oath on it, sir, none of us knew what he were about."

[-Sentinel-]

Pieter

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"You're right," admitted Pieter, "but we should avoid the Tongs and other public places from now on. I have secrets to share and plans to suggest, but this isn't the time for that. We need to call a war council. With only the regulars, those we absolutely trust. Let's find Klaus."

He glanced at the Lector's coach and remembered the rumor about von Kemperbad and Jagrun being old friends. The witch hunter may be dead, but it would not solve anything: the Lector would not rest until he had revenge. Just how much secular power did he actually have? Did he possess the authority to have Maria and Illiiya executed? How long before the Church sent another witch hunter?

[Exeson]

Raffy and Ithelus

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'Greetings to you too. Now we both know I don't really want to kill you because we both know you really want to help save Illiiya. Funny thing, that is just what I was chatting to Mister Kliener about. See he seems to think you are a threat to his health, and if his health is in danger it is not likely he will be willing to help us with our little problem.'

He tilts his head, 'Now what do you say we all give our word not to kill each other and the weapons can be exchanged for chairs. I assume there is a reason why you came here other than fuel your righteous bloodlust?

[BloodyAngel]

Illiiya, Lothar, Marius.... a lot of people!

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It's all right Lothar. I'll go with them. Please do not worry about me. Illiiya said in an even tone, looking to her soldier friend, And.... thank you. For more than you know.

She looked back to the enraged Lector, unafraid to catch his gaze.

He goes by the name of Raffy... and before you ask, I do not know where he will go. He is smarter than his recklessness would suggest. I have no doubt he will be able to evade your men.

[goblinpaladin]

The soldier, the witch, the theocrat, and the scion

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Lothar shook his head, the soldier uncharacteristically firm in the face of authority. "It's not just you, Illiiya- lives're at stake. I'll not let folk rest on their hands, thinkin' that you're it. Not just 'cause you have weird ears an' are convenient: someone out there is killin' folk."

He scowled. "As for Raffy, I think the boy's been drinkin' seawater. I'll help run him down my own self, if need be."

[BloodyAngel]

Illiiya and the gang

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I cannot help you any more. I'm sorry. She told Lothar with a slight nod. But... you know where I would have looked. I suppose you shall have to look for both of us. I trust you to find who is truly behind this.

[LCP]

Lothar & Illiiya

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"If we lock her up, and post two people to watch her all night -one man, an' a woman to make sure she's not sorcering anyone- and yet there are still murders afoot, we know it ain't her." He frowned and scratched at his wounded leg. "We know it weren't the Templar, neither, but we already knew that. Raffy's gone nuts- my oath on it, sir, none of us knew what he were about."

“I don’t think it’s going to be down to me, Fischer,” murmured Marius in return, as the Hounds shackled Illiiya “Tell it to His Eminence.”

He goes by the name of Raffy... and before you ask, I do not know where he will go. He is smarter than his recklessness would suggest. I have no doubt he will be able to evade your men.

“Will he, now?” said the Lector, glaring at his prisoner. “You seem remarkably happy in your belief that the murderer will escape.”

He shook his head as she spoke to Lothar, snapping his fingers imperiously at the Hounds restraining her. "Take her away."

Without another word, the Lector rounded on Marius.
“Where did he go?”
“He, um – he got away.”
Von Kemperbad stared long and hard at the Captain, blinking once or twice.
“As if more proof were needed of the Guard’s incompetence in combating the Enemy,” he said, quietly. “From here on, this matter is solely in the hands of the Church. Your men will keep order, as is their duty, and the Hounds will root out the killer. Starting with this... Sparrowhawk.”

He looked around the assembled Guards, many of the seasoned watchmen quailing under the high priest’s gaze.

“On what grounds was Aldric ‘challenged’?” he called out, raising his voice once more. His haughty glare settled on Lothar. “You. You are one of von Brucker’s men. Speak.”

[hr]

Pieter

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Karl clapped Pieter on the back. “Agreed,” he said. “Come on,” he added, gesturing to his friends. “I think Klaus went this way.”

[hr]

Slipping out of the back of the crowd, Karl, Klaus and a dozen other Society men swung left into the Lower Town, away from the scene in the square. Each of them was talking excitedly, the streets around them abuzz with the spreading news.

“So,” said Karl, “Pieter, this was your idea. Where to?”

[goblinpaladin]

Oh, I hate this guy already

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Lothar stiffened, limbs moving themselves to attention under the Lector's gaze. "Eminence. The boy challenged the Hammer of Sigmar on suspicion that Herr Jagrun had been corrupted in his pursuit of the sorcerer." The soldier shook his head, fingering the copper ring he wore. "Nonsense, if y'ask me, but the Templar accepted, in th' name of Sigmar, as a trial by ordeal."

He gave a significant look to the cooling corpse of Aldric Jagrun.

"As for Raffy, I know where's goin'. I know how he thinks, and I'm better than any dozen o' your dogs at finding killers- I doubt you remember me, sir, but I was the one who killed Puderbrand." It could not have escaped the notice of those listening, but Lothar was glossing over a few pertinent details there- like who was with him when he butchered the mutant leader. "Send me after him. In the meantime, Illiiya's no more the sorcererous killer than you are, Eminence, and there's a ways to prove it: lock her away with some guards, and if there are still murders, isn't her."

Lothar finished his speech, sweat beading from his head from the efforts to speak more clearly- and to talk back to a paragon of the church.

[LCP]

Lothar & Illiiya

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The Lector paced closer, examining Lothar like some particularly insubordinate species of beetle.

“Sorcery can be worked through prison walls,” he said, in a low tone. “The witch has confessed.”

“To being a mage,” said Marius, stepping forwards. “Not a crime in itself. She’s an elf. The college law does not apply.”
“You speak to me of the law?” snarled von Kemperbad, turning on the captain with one arm outstretched to point at the fallen Jagrun. “She has confessed to an attack on one of Sigmar’s Templars, by means of witchcraft. Her guilt is assured!”
“It wasn’t her that killed him. If she had struck him with her hand, would you say the same?” maintained Marius, the pallor of his face belying his strained self-control. He lowered his voice. “How do you think my father will like it, if she has friends in Altdorf? There could be... diplomatic consequences.”

Von Kemperbad glared back at Marius for a long moment, as if trying to melt the young von Brucker by sheer willpower. Narrowing his eyes, he turned away.
“Very well. She will be interred in the gaol, and when her witchcraft is witnessed,” – he placed a particular emphasis on the word ‘when’ – “ she will burned at the stake. As awaits all witches. In the meantime, Captain, I suggest you attend to your duties, and disperse this – this gawking mob.”

Turning on his heel, the Lector’s black robes swirled out behind him – he stopped, pointing at Lothar. “You. You know where this 'Raffy' is hiding. You will assist the Hounds with their investigations.”

The nearest militiamen turned to the soldier, one or two of them grinning to themselves.

“This way, sir,” they said, as their companions began to drag Illiiya away. The Lector was already walking away, striding towards his carriage with a face like thunder. He stopped as he passed Jagrun.

“Captain?” he called, not looking around. His voice had lost some of its strident fury, although it was still far from friendly.
“Yes, your Eminence?”
“You will take Aldric’s body to the Temple of Morr. Immediately.”
“Yes, your Eminence.”
Still facing away from the guards, the old priest seemed to nod ever so slightly to himself, hesitating for a long, silent moment – then, straightening his back again, he strode back towards his coach, shoes clacking against the cobbles...

[-Sentinel-]

Pieter

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"How about the Neumarket?" suggested Pieter. "People there tend to mind their own business." Which was always the advantage of shady places. Besides, he had things to buy.


OOC:

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If the others seem skeptical about the location, I'll choose someplace else. Pieter has been in Delberz for only a few weeks, so he may not know the best places to have a talk without being eavesdropped on.

On the way there, he informed Klaus of the latest news about Maria. He did not go into the details of the evidence Jagrun thought he had found. "I don't know if they've arrested her yet, or even if they legally can, but it's only a matter of time before another Templar takes over."

Addressing everyone, he moved on to the rumor he had heard yesterday:
"They say Sergeant Halbermann has a bastard son. Apparently a young man who looks a lot like him, poor soul, was seen in the Fields. He was paying children to throw things at the Hounds. No idea how we can use this, but I think we should try to learn more."

[goblinpaladin]

Lothar

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Lothar saluted the Lector and turned away; he nodded to Illiiya, speaking gently. "You'll be alright, Ill. I'd kiss the owl on it." He turned away, chewing on his lower lip and gestured to two of the militiamen Hounds at random.

"Right then. You two'll do," he snapped. "Come with me, and wipe the smirks off yer faces. I'd rather have real guards to help me, but his Eminence isn' to be denied."

[LCP]

Pieter

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"How about the Neumarket?" suggested Pieter. "People there tend to mind their own business."

“Sounds a plan,” said Karl. “I know a place there to put a roof over our heads, if nothing else.”

On the way there, he informed Klaus of the latest news about Maria. He did not go into the details of the evidence Jagrun thought he had found. "I don't know if they've arrested her yet, or even if they legally can, but it's only a matter of time before another Templar takes over."

Addressing everyone, he moved on to the rumor he had heard yesterday:
"They say Sergeant Halbermann has a bastard son. Apparently a young man who looks a lot like him, poor soul, was seen in the Fields. He was paying children to throw things at the Hounds. No idea how we can use this, but I think we should try to learn more."

Klaus seemed to take the news worse than Karl – thinking back, Pieter remembered all too well his intuitions as to the young man’s regard for Maria. Self-preservation seemed to just about master Ziemlich’s own Sparrowhawk-esque instincts, however.

“A bastard boy?” said one of the others, leaning in with an air of unabashed curiosity. “Where’d you hear that?”

[hr]

Lothar

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”Here, hold ‘ard, mister,” said one of the Hounds, moving to block Lothar’s path. “You ain’t wanderin’ off nowhere ‘less you get told.”

He glanced to his companion for confirmation, who nodded.

“We’re takin’ you to see the Sarge, I reckon.”

[goblinpaladin]

Lothar

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Lothar turned and spat into the gutter. "Yer 'Sarge' couldn't find the albino rat chewing on his face if he had a compass- but as it happens I want to go to Samtzunge House first anyway. That's where he's supposed to be, if'n he follows orders better'n he hunts mutants."

"Come with me, if ya like- or head to the Tongs. Raffy might've headed there, lookin' for friends."

[-Sentinel-]

Pieter

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"Thanks, Karl, a roof would be nice." Pieter had once known, in Nuln, a deaf beggar who was being paid by a local crime lord to read conversations on random people's lips and report them to him. One could never be too cautious.

“A bastard boy?” said one of the others, leaning in with an air of unabashed curiosity. “Where’d you hear that?”

"At the Graf's Arms, yesterday. Of course it might just be gossip, we know the Sergeant isn't the most popular man in town. I don't know what to make of this."

[LCP]

Illiiya

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The centre of her very own circle of Hounds, Illiiya was pushed and jostled away from the scene of the crime: they seemed to prefer to drag her along by the arms, even though she was quite willing to walk. They were taking her in the direction of the Tempelplatz, the Cathedral tower looming up over the rooftops above them.

A right, another right, a left – ahead, a large, run-down house squatted in the centre of an otherwise well-kept street, the bare skull of a large dog nailed up over the door. Stepping up to the door, the leader of Illiiya’s escort retrieved a weighty ring of keys from his belt, selecting the right one and turning it in the lock.

The interior of the building was dark, and it smelt – old, stale rushes had been scattered on the floor, the place having the general miasma of a space used by men too lazy to clean. The occasional rusty polearm leaned against the cracked plaster of the walls: here and there, anywhere it could be painted, the sign of the twin-tailed comet had been daubed in cheap paint, the militia taking any opportunity to clothe themselves in the trappings of their god.

“’Ere, Gustav!” called the man in the lead, slamming the door behind them as Illiiya's captors filtered inside. “We caught ourselves a witch!”

From somewhere in the next room, footsteps stirred: a rotund, unshaven man looked around the nearest door, staring unashamedly at the elf.

“What, a real ‘un?”

“Damn straight,” said the presumed leader, stepping forwards. “Killed the Witch Hunter.”
“You’re pullin’ my leg.”
“Not a word of a lie.”
The man stared some more.

“Ain’t that one of them... one of them elves?”
“That’s very perceptive of you, Gustav. Very perceptive.” The leader patted him on the shoulder. “Now this one here, see, she’s confessed an’ everything, so we need you to keep her safe. ‘Till we can get the bods at the gaol to make a nice cell ready for her.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder in Illiiya’s direction. “Gonna need a couple of men watchin’ her round the clock. Maybe more. She’s dangerous, is...”

He paused, before looking round at his charge.

“Hey, you! Give us your name.”

[hr]

Lothar

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”Right. Yeah. Samtzunge House. That’s where we’re takin’ you.”

Caught a little off-guard, the militiaman did his best to recover the initiative, his efforts not exactly a spectacular success.

“Oi!” he shouted. “Jurgen! Wolfgang! You’re with us.” He turned back to Lothar, prodding the soldier in the chest. “Don’t think you’re in charge, mister.”

Two more Hounds joining them, they set off in the direction of Manor Street...

[hr]

Samtzunge House was a scene of unholy bustle and business – Hounds were streaming in and out of the front door, which looked as if it had been smashed in by brute force. A carter’s wagon appeared to have been commandeered, the militiamen loading it up with books – by the sheer number of them, they seemed to be the contents of a rather splendid library.

From the direction of the alley that Lothar knew led down to the grand house’s stableyard, the ragged sound of ill-trained, marching feet approached: Sergeant Halbermann appeared at the head of a gaggle of half a dozen Hounds, stopping as he laid eyes on the new arrival.

“’Allo,” he said, a glitter of mischievous curiosity coming into the yellow-bearded sergeant’s eyes. “What’s this, then?”

[hr]

Pieter

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”Worth looking into further,” murmured Karl, nodding to himself. “Come on, this way.”

Ducking down a side-street, Pieter found himself before a drab, unpainted door: overhead, an old wooden sign was set into the wall, showing a snake with a head at either end. Pushing open the door, Karl led the way inside.

The place was evidently one of the city’s less salubrious drinking dens – an establishment that existed purely for the purposes of inebriation, food or lodging being far too conspicuously absent to call it a tavern. A swarm of hoary regulars looked around at the young mens’ entry, and looked away almost as quickly.

Trying not to cough at the fug of tobacco that lingered in the air, Pieter followed the others’ lead, ducking his head to avoid cracking it on the low beams as they made for one of the few tables that was not taken: having to raise their voices slightly to be heard over the hubbub.

“I think we all saw what just happened,” said Klaus, leaning in with a grave air. “Pieter, I gather you’ve got something to say?”

[goblinpaladin]

Lothar

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"Morning, Halbermann," Lothar said, his expression still dark. "Lookin' for a youngish chap, wears a fancy hat and carries a 'buss- orders of the Lector. You seen him? Where's Fraulein Samztunge?"