The Blue Tower | Page 4

inform upon one's neighbors; on the other
hand, could he stand idly by and let those neighbors attempt to destroy
the social order? Deciding that the greater good was the more
important--and that, moreover, it was the only way of taking Corisande
away from all this--he went in search of a Belphin. That is, he waited
until one glided past and called to him to leave the walk.
"I wish to report a conspiracy at No. 7 Mimosa Lane," he said. "The
girl is innocent, but the others are in it to the hilt."
The Belphin appeared to think for a minute. Then he gave off a smile.
"Oh, them," he said. "We know. They are harmless."
"Harmless!" Ludovick repeated. "Why, I understand they've already
tried to--to attack the Blue Tower by force!"
"Quite. And failed. For we are protected from hostile forces, as you
were told earlier, by the power of love."
Ludovick knew, of course, that the Belphin used the word love
metaphorically, that the Tower was protected by a series of highly
efficient barriers of force to repel attackers--barriers which, he realized
now, from the sad fate of Mieczyslaw and George, were potentially
lethal. However, he did not blame the Belphin for being so cagy about
his race's source of power, not with people like the Flockharts running
about subverting and whatnot.
"You certainly do have a wonderful intercommunication system," he
murmured.

"Everything about us is wonderful," the Belphin said noncommittally.
"That's why we're so good to you people. Be happy!" And he was off.
But Ludovick could not be happy. He wasn't precisely sad yet, but he
was thoughtful. Of course the Belphins knew better than he did, but
still.... Perhaps they underestimated the seriousness of the Flockhart
conspiracy. On the other hand, perhaps it was he who was taking the
Flockharts too seriously. Maybe he should investigate further before
doing anything rash.
Later that night, he slipped over to the Flockhart villa and nosed about
in the courtyard until he found the window behind which the family
was conspiring. He peered through a chink in the curtains, so he could
both see and hear.
Corisande was saying, "And so I think there is a lot in what Ludovick
said...."
Bless her, he thought emotionally. Even in the midst of her plotting,
she had time to spare a kind word for him. And then it hit him: she, too,
was a plotter.
"You suggest that we try to turn the power of love against the
Belphins?" the uncle asked ironically.
Corisande gave a rippling laugh as she twirled her glittering pendant.
"In a manner of speaking," she said. "I have an idea for a secret weapon
which might do the trick----"
* * * * *
At that moment, Ludovick stumbled over a jug which some careless
relative had apparently left lying about the courtyard. It crashed to the
tesserae, spattering Ludovick's legs and sandals with a liquid which
later proved to be extremely red wine.
"There's someone outside!" the uncle declared, half-rising.

"Nonsense!" Corisande said, putting her hand on his shoulder. "I didn't
hear anything."
The uncle looked dubious, and Ludovick thought it prudent to
withdraw at this point. Besides, he had heard enough. Corisande--his
Corisande--was an integral part of the conspiracy.
He lay down to sleep that night beset by doubts. If he told the Belphins
about the conspiracy, he would be betraying Corisande. As a matter of
fact, he now remembered, he had already told them about the
conspiracy and they hadn't believed him. But supposing he could
convince them, how could he give Corisande up to them? True, it was
the right thing to do--but, for the first time in his life, he could not bring
himself to do what he knew to be right. He was weak, weak--and
weakness was sinful. His old Belphin teacher had taught him that, too.
As Ludovick writhed restlessly upon his bed, he became aware that
someone had come into his chamber.
"Ludovick," a soft, beloved voice whispered, "I have come to ask your
help...." It was so dark, he could not see her; he knew where she was
only by the glitter of the jewel on her neck-chain as it arced through the
blackness.
"Corisande...." he breathed.
"Ludovick...." she sighed.
Now that the amenities were over, she resumed, "Against my will, I
have been involved in the family plot. My uncle has invented a secret
weapon which he believes will counteract the power of the barriers."
"But I thought you devised it!"
"So it was you in the courtyard. Well, what happened was I wanted to
gain time, so I said I had a secret weapon of my own invention which I
had not perfected, but which would cost considerably less than my
uncle's model. We have