Page 178 - The Perpetrations of Captain Kaga

Investigating the Mystery of the Talking Plant
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With that, Farnitt turned and went back into his office. Before Lugo
could utter the question forming on his lips, Kaga interrupted him
sharply.
“Let’s be on our way, Lieutenant.The morning is going fast.”
When they were back in the exhibition area, Lugo said in a low voice,
“You just made up another story for Farnitt: is that part of the plan,
too?”
“Yes, it is. Now, let’s just be sure that, the Tzigian gallery is really
closed up tightly. Ah, here it is. It doesn’t look like anyone could get in
without breaking down the door—or knowing how to open it.”
A large placard in front of the room announced that the exhibit was
temporarily closed for alterations. Kaga and Lugo continued past it
and entered the alien quarters. The birdlike attendant was still on duty;
Lugo asked him if Miss Woswoot had come in yet. Upon learning that
she had not, he asked the receptionist to page him as soon as she did
arrive. He also requested that the guests be notified that he was paying
his daily visit. This done, the two officers continued on to the guest
rooms.
“I usually go to see General Sleeth first,” explained Lugo, as they
entered the anteroom immediately on their left. “He doesn’t sleep
much—he says—so there’s no danger of arriving too early for him.”
“Tell me a little about him. Is he really in the military?”
“Yes. Garbon is a very warlike planet. Their weapons are fairly
sophisticated compared to their social organization. If we hadn’t
arrived and enforced peaceful trade on the Garbonese, they would
have soon embarked on a conquest of their solar system. Luckily we
found a use for lorfus oil; if they’d had nothing to sell, we might not
have been able to prevent an interplanetary war from breaking out.”
“Garbon?” asked Captain Kaga. “Isn’t that in the same system as
Tzigi?”
“Why, yes, it is, now that you mention it. But—”
He was cut off by the flashing of a light over the inner portal.
Suddenly the temperature went up several degrees and the air became
tinged with a sulfurous yellow fog.
“Here, take one of these portable respirators,” said Lugo. “We can
manage the rest of it for a few minutes.”
The door opened and they entered General Sleeth’s habitat.
Through watering eyes, Kaga saw a large metallic structure in front of

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