Page 29 - The Gluckman Occasional Number One

had taken his place. Something went wrong. Stellanova was the only
one to witness the impact.”
“Yes, I saw it all,” said the aerialist with a shudder. “At first
Provornin seemed quite capable of standing in for Gurmovnik. He
crouched down in the correct stance and told me he was ready. But
when the projectile arrived he stumbled and it struck him right
between the eyes. He died instantly.”
“So she says,” put in Gurmovnik bitterly. “Provornin was my
friend. I had sprained a mid-leg during my juggling act, which
immediately preceded the ball toss, and I asked him to carry on for
me. He was a trouper: he knew what to do—if the signal were given
when he really was ready, and not before.”
“I resent that implication!” snapped Stellanova.
“I don’t care if you do,” replied Gurmovnik. “Everybody knows
Provornin jilted you. You’re not one to let that go without
retribution. You think you can wave your antennae at any flea you
want and he’ll jump at the chance to become your attentive servant.
Well, Provornin saw through all of that. He told me—“
“Stop!” shouted Karpechki. “You’re speaking of the insect I love!
Leave Stellanova out of this: hasn’t she suffered enough?”
Trixie’s ears twitched, throwing the disputants off balance. “Aha!”
she barked. “Cherchez la femme! It sounds to me like you had a motive
for doing away with Provornin, Karpechki: he was a rival for the
affections of Stellanova.”
“Absurd!” snorted the leader of the troupe. “I didn’t even know it
wasn’t Gurmovnik on the receiving end: I was flat on my back and
couldn’t see a thing. All I did was to launch the missile when
Raskeloff gave the word.”
“Raskeloff!” exclaimed Gurmovnik. “You could see it wasn’t me,
couldn’t you?”
“No, I couldn’t. I only had eyes for Stellanova.”
“Just what do you mean by that?” demanded Karpechki
suspiciously.
“I mean I was watching her intently for the signal, that’s all. I
wasn’t aware of the substitution.”
“So you claim,” retorted Karpechki. “I know you’ve been coveting
Provornin’s job. I recall you saying he was an overrated braggart
who couldn’t hop sideways without a compass.”
“Well, what if I did?” said Raskeloff defensively. “It’s true, even if
repeating it now is disrespectful. And it seemed to me that you