Space Opera Read Online Free Page B

I don’t know how to put this to you — but could you find some way to set my aunt straight on the facts of the case?”
    Bernard Bickel frowned, touched his handsome silver mustache. “I would be happy to advise your aunt, of course, but I can’t simply go barging out and belabor her with my opinions.”
    “I tell you what!” exclaimed Roger. “Come out to Ballew today as my guest. She’ll be delighted to see you.”
    Bickel gave a slight shrug. “I don’t have anything else on — and I’d be happy to see your aunt’s estate.”
    “Good! We can leave at any time you like.”
    “Oh … Two o’clock?”
    “Excellent. I’ll pick you up in my air-car.”
    Shortly before three Roger and Bernard Bickel arrived at Ballew. Roger landed his air-car on the flight deck, and Grumiano, the old porter, came to wheel it away into the garage.
    Bernard Bickel went to the balustrade, surveyed the grounds. “A magnificent place, absolutely baronial! It must be hundreds of years old!”
    “Yes, it’s a beautiful place. And I don’t want to see it sold at auction … We’ll probably find my aunt in the rose garden, or perhaps on the south terrace.”
    Dame Isabel in fact was sitting at a marble table on the south terrace, dictating letters into a recorder, while simultaneously placing calls into a visiphone. She gave the two of them a terse nod, apparently failing to recognize Bernard Bickel. “Sit down, Roger, I’ll be with you in a moment. I’ve got Marzic Ipsigori on the connection and we’re trying to arrive at terms. I believe he will be with us.”
    Roger and Bernard Bickel waited while Dame Isabel spoke with the celebrated baritone, who, so it eventuated, could not give Dame Isabel a definite answer until he reviewed his obligations for the coming year.
    Dame Isabel switched off the instrument, swung around to face Roger and Bickel. “Well, Roger: who is your friend? But of course, it’s Mr. Bickel.”
    “Yes, and delighted for the opportunity to see your home and its glorious grounds.”
    Dame Isabel nodded. “Ballew is at its best during the summer. Roger, find Holker and have him lay tea.”
    When Roger returned Dame Isabel and Bernard Bickel were strolling through the rose garden, talking with great animation. From time to time Dame Isabel laughed heartily, and Bernard Bickel also seemed to be enjoying himself. At least, thought Roger, his aunt was listening without resentment. Perhaps she herself had begun to have misgivings about the enormous complexity of the project. Roger sighed with gratification: taking his problems to Bernard Bickel had been a wise move.
    Holker laid the table for tea; Dame Isabel and Bickel came to join Roger.
    “Good news, Roger!” exclaimed Dame Isabel. “Good news indeed! Mr. Bickel has agreed to join our little tour among the planets! He’ll be musical consultant, at a very exorbitant salary, I’m sorry to say —” she chuckled roguishly “— but we will have his specialized knowledge to guide us!”
    Roger looked in shock and pain at Bernard Bickel, who nodded smilingly. “I will be utterly honest,” said Bickel. “You could not have hired a better man. There are dozens of pitfalls into which, without expert counsel, you would have been sure to fall.”
    Roger rose; Dame Isabel looked up in surprise. “Roger: are you not staying for dinner?”
    “No,” said Roger. “I’ve just remembered an engagement.” He bowed grimly to Bernard Bickel and took his leave.
    Dame Isabel sighed. “Roger is beyond my comprehension. A dear fellow, but like so many of his generation, without direction. I’ve arranged a position for him with Atlantic Securities. The world of stocks and bonds is said to be fascinating, and I’m sure the challenge of regular hours will prove stimulating.”
    “Quite correct,” said Bernard Bickel. “You’ve made a sensible decision.”

Chapter IV
    From a journalistic standpoint, the world at this particular juncture was torpid. No