December 9, 2025 • 23 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Heist job on Thizar by Randall Garrett, Ants and Drake
sat quietly in the Flamebird room of the Royal Gandel Hotel,
listening to the alien but soothing strains of the Native
orchestra and sipping a drink. He knew perfectly well he
had no business displaying himself in public. On the planet Tizar,
(00:20):
there were influential Thezarians who held no love for a
certain earth Man named Anson Drake. It didn't particularly bother Drake.
Life was danger and danger was life to him, and
Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as
a man who could take care of himself. Even so,
he wouldn't have bothered to come if it had not
been for the fact that Byron Belgazad was a pompous braggart.
(00:44):
Belgazad had already suffered at the hands of Anson Drake.
Some years before, a narcotics gang had been smashed high,
wide and handsome on the Czar. Three men had died
from an overdose of their own thionite drug, and fifty
thousand credits of the gain that had vanished into nowhere.
The Thezaurian police didn't know who had done the job,
(01:06):
and they didn't know who had financed the ring, but
Belgazad knew that ants, and Drake was the farmer, and
Drake knew that Vyron Belgazad was a ladder, and each
one was waiting for his chance to get the other.
A week before, Drake had been relaxing happily on a
beach on seld On to twelve light years from the Tzar,
(01:26):
reading a news facts. He had become interested in an
article which told of the sentencing of a certain young
lady to seven years and sell it on prison when
his attention was attracted by another headline Byron Belgazad buys
al Gall necklace. The Czar g ns firing. Belgazad wealthy,
Thezarian financier has purchased the fabulous necklace of Algahll, it
(01:49):
was announced today. The necklace, made of matched star diamonds,
is estimated to be worth more than a million credits,
although the price paid by Belgazad is not known. Illustration
the coronation of Thizar was nothing of vast magnificence. Such
an interesting bit seemed worthy of further investigation, so Drake
(02:09):
had immediately booked passage on the first space liner to Thizar.
And thus it was that an immaculately dressed, broad shouldered,
handsome young man sat quietly in the flame bird room
of Thizar's flushiest hostelry, surveying his surroundings with steady green eyes,
and wondering how he was going to get his hands
on the necklace of Algall. The police couldn't touch Belgazade,
(02:33):
but Anson Drake could and would. Hello, Drake, said a
cold voice at his elbow. Drake turned and looked into
the sardonically smiling face of Joe Miss Dobigel, the heavy set,
dark faced Thizari and who worked with Belgazade. Well well,
Anson said, smiling, If it is a little bo peep,
how is the dope business, how is the big dope himself?
(02:57):
Do Bigail's face soured? You're very funny earth man, but
we don't like earthmen here. Do sit down, Dobby and
tell me all about it. Last I heard, which was
three hours ago, the government of Tizar was perfectly happy
to have me here. In fact, they were good enough
to stamp my passport to prove it. Don Miguel pulled
(03:17):
out a chair and sat down, keeping his hands beneath
the table. What are you doing here, Drake, he asked
in a cold voice. I couldn't help it, Drake said, blandly.
I was drawn back by the memory of the natural
beauties of your planet. The very thought of the fat,
flabby face of old Belgazad, decorated with a bulbous nose
that is renowned throath Galaxy was irresistible. So here I
(03:40):
am do Miguil's dark face grew even darker. I know you, Drake,
and I know why you're here. Tomorrow is the date
for the coronation of his Serenity, the Shan of Tizar. True,
Drake agreed, and I wouldn't miss it for all the
loot in Andromeda. My celebration like that is worth try
traveling parsecs to see. Dabajel leaned across the table. Belgazad
(04:06):
is a noble of the realm, he said, slowly. He'll
be at the coronation. You know he's going to wear
the necklace of Algall as well as anyone and you.
Suddenly he leaned forward a little further, his right hand
stabbing out toward Drake's leg beneath the table. But Anson
Drake was ready for him. Dabagil's hand was a full
(04:26):
three inches from Drake's thigh when a set of fingers
grasped his wrist in a vise like hold. Steely fingers
bit in, pressing nerves against bone. With a gasp, Doabajil
opened his hand. A small metallic cylinder dropped out. Drake
caught at it with his free hand and smiled, that's impolite, Dobby.
It is improper to try to give your host an
(04:47):
injection when he doesn't want it. Casually, he put the
cylinder against the arm, which he still held, and squeezed
the little metal tube. There's a faint pop. Drake released
the arm and handed back the cylinder. Dabagel's face was white.
I imagine that was twelve hour poison. Drake said, kindly,
if you hurry, old bell Gazade will give you the antidote.
(05:08):
It will be painful. But he shrugged. And by the way,
brother da Bigail, he continued, let me give you some advice.
The next time you try to get near a victim
with one of those things, don't do it by talking
to him about things he already knows. It doesn't distract him. Enough.
Do Bigail stood up, his fist clenched. I'll get you
for this, Drake. Then he turned and stalked off through
(05:30):
the crowd. No one had noticed the little biplay. Drake
smiled serifically and finished his drink. Doa Bigael was going
to be uncomfortable for a while. Twelve hour poison was
a complex protein that could be varied in several thousand ways,
and only an antidote made from the right variation would
work for each poison. And if the antidote wasn't given,
(05:51):
the victim died within twelve hours, And even if the
antidote was given, getting over the poison wasn't any fun
at all. Reflecting happy on the plight of Jomas Dobigel
ants and Drake paid his bill, tipped the waiter liberally,
and strolled out of the Flame Bird Room and into
the lobby of the Royal Gandal Hotel. The coronation would
(06:12):
begin tomorrow and he didn't want to miss the beginning
of it. The Shan's coronation was the affair of Thizar.
He went over to the robot news vendor and dropped
a coin in the slot. The reproducer hummed in a
freshly printed news facts dropped out. He headed the lift tube,
which whisked him up to his room on the eighty
first floor. He inserted his key in the lock and
(06:33):
pressed the button on the tip. The electronic lock opened
and the door slid into the wall. Before entering, Drake
took a look at the detector on his wrist. There
is no sign of anything having entered the room since
he had left it. Only then did he go inside.
With one of the more powerful financiers of Thizar out
after his blood, there was no way of knowing what
(06:55):
might happen, and therefore no reason to take chances. There
were some worlds where Ants and Drake would no more
have stayed in a public hotel than he would have
jumped into an atomic furnace, especially if his enemy was
a man as influential as Belgazade. But the Czar was
a civilized and reasonably well policed planet. The police were honest,
and the courts were just. Even Belgazad couldn't do anything openly.
(07:19):
Drake locked his door, sang to himself in a pleasant
baritone while he bathed, put on his pajamas, and lay
down on his bed to read the paper. It was
mostly full of coronation news. Noble so and so would
wear such and such, No archbishop would do thus and so.
There was another item about Belgazad. His daughter was ill
and would be unable to attend bloody shame, thought Drake.
(07:43):
Too bad. Belgazade is in sick or dying. There was
no further mention in the necklace of Algall. He was
second only to the crown Jewels of the Shan himself.
The precautions being taken were fantastic. At a quick guess
about half the crowd would be policemen. The door announced
her chimed in. Drake sat up and punched the door TV.
(08:04):
The screen showed the face of a girl standing at
his door. Trake smiled in appreciation. She had dark brown hair,
brown eyes, and a smooth, tanned complexion. It was a
beautiful face, and it showed promise of having a body
to match. Who may I ask is calling on a
gentleman at this ungodly hour and thus compromising her reputation
and fair name. The girl smiled, showing even white teeth,
(08:27):
and her eyes sparkled, showing flickers of little golden flames
against the round I see I found the right room.
That voice couldn't belong to anyone but Ants and Drake.
Then she lowered her voice and said softly, let me in.
I'm Norman Knight. Drake felt a tinge of psychic electricity
flow over his skin. There was a promise of danger
(08:48):
and excitement in the air. Norman Knight was known throughout
this whole sector of the galaxy as the cleverest jewel
thief the human race had ever spawned. Trake had never
met her, but he had definitely heard of her. He
touched the admission stud and the door slid silently aside.
There was no doubt about it. Her body did match
her face. Do you come in, Narma, he said. She
(09:11):
stepped inside, and Drake touched the closing button. The door
slid shut behind her. She stood there for a moment,
looking at him, and Drake took the opportunity to study
the girl more closely. At last, she said, so your
auntswer Drake, You're even better looking than i'd heard you were. Congratulations,
I have a good press agent, Drake said, modestly. What's
(09:34):
on your mind? He waved his hand at a nearby chair.
The same thing that's on yours, I suspect, She said,
do you have a drink to spare? Drake unlimbered himself
from the bed, selected a bottle from the menu and
dialed the robot. Bellhopped word and a chute opened on
the wall and a bottle slid out. Drake poured and
handed the tumbler to the girl and said, this is
(09:56):
your party. What do you have in mind? The girl
took a sip of her drink before she answered. Then
she looked up at Drake with her deep brown eyes.
Two things. One, I have no intention or desire to
compete with Ants and Drake for the necklace of algall.
Both of us might end up in jail with nothing
for our pains. Two. I have a full proof method
(10:17):
of getting a necklace, but none forgetting it off the planet.
I think you probably have a way, Trake nodded. I
dare say I could swing it. How does it happen
that you don't have an avenue of disposal plant? She
looked bleak for a moment. The man who was to
help me decided to back out at the last minute.
He didn't know what the job was, and I wouldn't
tell him because I didn't trust him, and you trust me.
(10:41):
Her eyes were very trustful. I've heard a lot about you, Drake,
and I happen to know that you never double cross
anyone unless they double cross you first. Trade about is
fair play? To quote an ancient maxim, Drake said, Grinning
had him a firm believer in fair play. But that's
neither here nor there. The point is what you have
to offer. Why shouldn't I just peach the gems myself
(11:04):
into a quick flit across the galaxy that would give
me all the loot? She shook her head. Belgazete is
on to you. You know, he knows you're here. His
own private police and the shand's own guard will be
at the coronation to protect all thy jewelry. She cocked
her pretty head to one side and looked at him.
What's between you and Belgazete? Anyway? I stole his toys
(11:27):
when he was a child, said Drake, and he hasn't
trusted me since. How do you propose to get the
necklace of algaholl? If I'd hint, she smiled and shook
her head slowly, that would be telling Hugh. Let me
take care of my part, and I'll let you take
care of yours. Drake shook his head, not so slowly,
absolutely not. We either work together or we don't work
(11:47):
at all. The girl frowned and thought for a moment,
and then reached into the belt pouch at her side
and pulled out a square of electro engraved plastic. She
handed it to Drake. Underneath all the flowery verbiage, it
boiled down to an invitation to attend the post coronation reception.
It was addressed to Miss Caroline Smith and was signed
(12:08):
and sealed by the Shan of the Czar himself. I'm
Caroline Smith, she said. I've managed to get in good
with the family of Belgazead and he wangled the invitation.
Now the plan is this, right after the invocation, while
the new shan is being prepared in a special coronation robes,
the nobles have to change their uniforms from red to green.
(12:30):
Belgazad will go into his suite in the palace to change.
He'll be accompanied by two guards. One will stay outside
and the other will help Belgazad dress. I've got the
room next to his and I've managed to get the
key that unlocks the door between them. I'll use this.
She pulled a small globe of metal from her pouch.
It's a sleep gas bomb. He'll knock him out for
(12:51):
at least twenty minutes. No one will come in during
that time, and I'll be able to get the necklace
and get out of the palace before they wake up.
They'll know you did it, Drake pointed out. If you're
still missing when they come in, the thief's identity will
be obvious. She nodded, that's where you come in. I'll
simply go out into the garden and throw it over
the wall to you. We'll meet here afterwards. Drake thought
(13:14):
it over and smiled devilishly. It sounds fine. Now let's
coordinate everything. They went over the whole plot again, this
time with a chart of the palace to mark everything out,
and a time schedule was arranged. Then they toasted to success,
and the girl left. When she was gone, ants and
Drake smiled ruefully to himself and opened a secret compartment
(13:35):
in his suitcase. From it, he removed a long strand
of glittering jewels, a perfect imitation, Drake said, and you're
very pretty. It's a shame I won't be able to
hang you around the neck of Belgazette in place of
the real necklace of Algol. But its original plan had
been more dangerous than the present one, and Anson Drake
was always ready to deserve a good plan for a
(13:57):
better one. Coronation day on bright and clear, and the
festivities began early. There were speeches and parades and dancing
in the streets. A huge fleet of high flying rockets
rumbled high in the stratosphere, filling the sky with white
traceries of their exhaust. For all of the Czar it
was a holiday, a day of rejoicing and happiness. Cheers
for the Shan filled the streets, and strings of music
(14:20):
came from the speakers of the public communications systems. Answering
Drake missed most of the fun. He was too busy
making plans. The day passed as he worked. The Tzar's
sun began to set as the time for the actual
crowning of the Shan approached. At the proper time, Drake
was waiting in the shadows outside the palace walls. There
were eyes watching him, and he knew it, but he
(14:41):
only smiled softly to himself and waited. It was the
girl on the other side of the wall. I'm here,
whispered Drake. Something that glittered faintly in the soft light
of the twin moons of Thizar arked over the wall.
Drake caught it in his hands. It was the necklace
of Algaol. He slipped it into a small plastic box
he was carrying, and then glanced at the detector on
(15:03):
his wrist. The screen showed a pale blue pip, which
indicated that someone was hiding the shadows a few yards
to his right. Trake didn't even glance toward the spy.
He put the plastic box contained the necklace into his
belt pouch and strode away from the palace he had
he figured about twenty minutes. He headed directly for the
space ship terminal. Never once did he look back, but
(15:26):
the detector on his wrist told him he was being
closely followed. Excellent. Inside the terminal, he went directly to
the baggage lockers. He found one that was empty, inserted
a coin and opened it from his pouch. He took
a plastic box, put it in the locker, switched on
the lock with his key, and strolled away. He glanced
again at his detector. He was no longer being followed
(15:47):
by the same man, another had taken up his trail.
It figured. It figured. He went straight to the hotel gandal,
making sure his tail didn't loose him. Not until they
were in the lobby did he make any attempt to
shake the man who was following him. He went into
the bar, ordered to drink and took a sip. He
left his change in the drink of the bar and
headed out the door in the direction of the men's room.
(16:09):
Whoever was following him wouldn't realize for a minute or
two he was leaving for good. A man doesn't usually
leave change in an unfinished drink in a bar. Drake
took the lift tube up to his room and attended
to some unfinished business and waited. Less than three minutes later,
the door is opened in walked fire In Belgazead and
his lieutenant, Joe Miss Dolbagel. Both of them looked triumphant,
(16:31):
and they were surrounded by a squad of Royal police.
There he is, said, Dobigel, arrest him. A policeman stepped
forward answered Drake, I arrest you in the name of
the Shan he said. Trake grinned, I'm what charge the
theft of the necklace of Algol. Drake looked directly at Belgazead.
Did old fat face here say I took it? You
(16:52):
can't talk that way. Dabagel snarled and stepped forward. Who
says so ugly? At that? Dabagel stepped far and threw
a hard punch from his shoulders, traded Drake's face. It
never landed. Drake's sidestepped and brought a smashing uppercut up
from his knees. It lifted Dabajel off his feet and
sent him crashing back against old Belgazade, toppling them both
(17:14):
to the floor. The policemen had all drawn their guns,
but Drake was standing placidly in the middle of the room,
his hands high above his head, regarding the scene. Calmly,
I'll go quietly. I've got no quarrel with the police.
One of the officers led him into the hall while
the others searched his room. Belgazed was sputtering incoherently. Another
policeman was trying to wake up Dabajel. If you're looking
(17:37):
for the necklace of algall, Drake said, he won't find
it there. The Captain of the police squad said, we
know that, mister Drake. We are merely looking for other evidence.
We already have the necklace. He reached in his belt
pouch and took out a small plastic box. He opened it,
disclosing a glittering rope of jewels. You were seen depositing
this in a baggage locker at the spaceship terminal. We
(17:58):
have witnesses who saw you and we had it removed
under police supervision Byron Belgazade smiled nastily. This time you
won't get away, Drake. Stealing anything from the Palace of
the Shan carries a minimum penalty of twenty years in
Tizar prison. Drake said nothing as I took him off
to the Royal Police Station and locked him in a cell.
(18:19):
He was late afternoon of the next day when the
prosecutor for the Shan visited Drake's cell. He was a tall,
imposing man, and Drake knew him by reputation as an
honest and energetic man. Mister Drake, he said, he his
who sat down in a chair in the cell. You
have refused to speak to anyone but me. I am,
of course perfectly willing to be of any assistance. But
I am afraid I must warn you that any statement
(18:40):
made to me will be used against you at the trial.
Drake leaned back in his own chair. One nice thing
about Theizar, he reflected, they had comfortable jails, my Lord prosecutor,
he said, I'd like to make a statement as I
understand it. Belgazad claims he was gassed along with the
police guard who was with him. When he woke up,
(19:00):
the necklace was gone. He didn't see his assailant. That
is correct, said the prosecutor. Trag grinned. That was the
way it had to be. Balgazade couldn't possibly have bribed
the comps, so they both had to be guanced. If
he didn't see as assailant, how does he know who
it was. You were followed from the palace by Jomas Dabagel,
who saw you put the necklace into the baggage locker.
(19:22):
There are several other witnesses to that. Drake leaned forward.
Let me point out, my Lord prosecutor, the only evidence
you have that I was anywhere near the palace is
the word of Jomas Dabagel, and he didn't see me
inside the palace. I was outside the wall. The prosecutor shrugged.
We admit the possibility of an assistant inside the walls
(19:42):
of the palace, he said. We are investigating that now.
But even if we never find your accomplice, we have
proof that you were implicated, and that is enough. But
what proof do you have, Drake said, blandly, why the
necklace itself? Of course? The prosecutor looked as though he
suspected Drake if having taken leave of his senses. Drake
shook his head. That necklace is mine. I can prove it.
(20:05):
It was made for me by a respectable jeweler on
Seldon too. It's a very good imitation, but it's a phony.
They aren't diamonds. They are simply well cut crystals of
titanium dioxide. Check them if you don't believe me. The
Lord Prosecutor looked dumbfounded. But what why, Drake said, I
brought it to give to my good friend, the noble Belgazad.
(20:26):
Of course it would be a gross insult to wear
them at the Shan's coronation, but he could wear them
at other functions. And how does my good friend repay
me by having me arrested? My Lord prosecutor. I am
a wronged man. The prosecutor swallowed heavily and stood up.
The necklace has naturally been impounded by the police. I
shall have the stones tested. You'll find their phone, news,
(20:48):
Drake said. And that means one of two things. Either
they are not the ones stolen from Belgazad, or Belgazade
has mortally insalted his shin by wearing false jewels to
the coronation. Well we shall see about this, said the
Lord Prosecutor. Anson Drake, free as a lark, was packing
his clothes in his hotel room when the announcer chimed.
(21:09):
He punched the TV pickup and grinned. It was the girl.
When the door slid aside, she came in, smiling. You
got away with it, Drake, wonderful. I don't know how
you did it. But did what Drake's looked innocent, get
away with the necklace. Of course, I don't know how
it happened that Dabajel was here. But but but, but,
Drake said, smiling. You don't seem to know very much
(21:31):
at all, do you? What what do you mean? Drake
put his last article of clothing in his suitcase and
snapped it shut. I'll probably be searched pretty thoroughly when
I get to their spaceport, he said coolly. But they
won't find anything on innocent man. Where's the necklace, she
asked in a throaty voice. Trag pretended not to hear.
(21:53):
It's a funny thing, he said. Old Belgazee would never
let the necklace out of his hands except to get me.
He thought to get it back by making sure I
was followed, But he made two mistakes. The girl put
her arms around his neck. His mistakes don't matter as
long as we have the necklace, do they? Anson Drake
was never a man to turn down an invitation like that.
(22:15):
He held her in his arms and kissed her long
and lingeringly. When he broke away, he went on as
though nothing had happened. Two mistakes. The first was thinking
up such an obviously silly plot. If it was as
easy to steal jewels from the palace as all that,
nothing would be save on the tizar. The second mistake
was sending his daughter to trap me. The girl gasped
(22:37):
and stepped back. It was very foolish of you, miss Belgazette,
he went on, calmly. You see I happened to know
the real Norman Knight was sentenced to seven years and
sailed in prison over a week ago. Unfortunately, the news
hadn't reached the Czaar yet. I knew from the first
the whole thing was to be a frame up. It's
too bad you father had to use the real necklace.
It's a shame he lost it. The girl's eyes blazed you,
(23:00):
you thief. You. She used words which no self respecting
lady is supposed to use. Drake waited until she was finished,
and then said, oh no, miss Belgazad, I'm no thief.
Your father can't consider the loss of that necklace as
a fine for running their contox, and you can tell
him that if I catch him again, it will be worse.
(23:21):
I don't like his kind of slime, and I'll do
my best to get rid of them. That's all, miss
b It was nice knowing you. He walked out of
the room, leaving her to stand there in helpless fury.
His phony necklace had come in handy. After all. The
police had thought they had the real one, so they
never bothered to check the mail service for a small package.
Mail was selled on too all. He had had to
(23:42):
do was drop it into the mail chute from his
room and then cool his heels in jail while the
glack Mails got rid of the loot for him, the
necklace of aalgall would be waiting for him when he
got to sell down too. End of heist Job on
Tizzar by Randall Garrett
Heist job on Thizar by Randall Garrett, Ants and Drake
sat quietly in the Flamebird room of the Royal Gandel Hotel,
listening to the alien but soothing strains of the Native
orchestra and sipping a drink. He knew perfectly well he
had no business displaying himself in public. On the planet Tizar,
(00:20):
there were influential Thezarians who held no love for a
certain earth Man named Anson Drake. It didn't particularly bother Drake.
Life was danger and danger was life to him, and
Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as
a man who could take care of himself. Even so,
he wouldn't have bothered to come if it had not
been for the fact that Byron Belgazad was a pompous braggart.
(00:44):
Belgazad had already suffered at the hands of Anson Drake.
Some years before, a narcotics gang had been smashed high,
wide and handsome on the Czar. Three men had died
from an overdose of their own thionite drug, and fifty
thousand credits of the gain that had vanished into nowhere.
The Thezaurian police didn't know who had done the job,
(01:06):
and they didn't know who had financed the ring, but
Belgazad knew that ants, and Drake was the farmer, and
Drake knew that Vyron Belgazad was a ladder, and each
one was waiting for his chance to get the other.
A week before, Drake had been relaxing happily on a
beach on seld On to twelve light years from the Tzar,
(01:26):
reading a news facts. He had become interested in an
article which told of the sentencing of a certain young
lady to seven years and sell it on prison when
his attention was attracted by another headline Byron Belgazad buys
al Gall necklace. The Czar g ns firing. Belgazad wealthy,
Thezarian financier has purchased the fabulous necklace of Algahll, it
(01:49):
was announced today. The necklace, made of matched star diamonds,
is estimated to be worth more than a million credits,
although the price paid by Belgazad is not known. Illustration
the coronation of Thizar was nothing of vast magnificence. Such
an interesting bit seemed worthy of further investigation, so Drake
(02:09):
had immediately booked passage on the first space liner to Thizar.
And thus it was that an immaculately dressed, broad shouldered,
handsome young man sat quietly in the flame bird room
of Thizar's flushiest hostelry, surveying his surroundings with steady green eyes,
and wondering how he was going to get his hands
on the necklace of Algall. The police couldn't touch Belgazade,
(02:33):
but Anson Drake could and would. Hello, Drake, said a
cold voice at his elbow. Drake turned and looked into
the sardonically smiling face of Joe Miss Dobigel, the heavy set,
dark faced Thizari and who worked with Belgazade. Well well,
Anson said, smiling, If it is a little bo peep,
how is the dope business, how is the big dope himself?
(02:57):
Do Bigail's face soured? You're very funny earth man, but
we don't like earthmen here. Do sit down, Dobby and
tell me all about it. Last I heard, which was
three hours ago, the government of Tizar was perfectly happy
to have me here. In fact, they were good enough
to stamp my passport to prove it. Don Miguel pulled
(03:17):
out a chair and sat down, keeping his hands beneath
the table. What are you doing here, Drake, he asked
in a cold voice. I couldn't help it, Drake said, blandly.
I was drawn back by the memory of the natural
beauties of your planet. The very thought of the fat,
flabby face of old Belgazad, decorated with a bulbous nose
that is renowned throath Galaxy was irresistible. So here I
(03:40):
am do Miguil's dark face grew even darker. I know you, Drake,
and I know why you're here. Tomorrow is the date
for the coronation of his Serenity, the Shan of Tizar. True,
Drake agreed, and I wouldn't miss it for all the
loot in Andromeda. My celebration like that is worth try
traveling parsecs to see. Dabajel leaned across the table. Belgazad
(04:06):
is a noble of the realm, he said, slowly. He'll
be at the coronation. You know he's going to wear
the necklace of Algall as well as anyone and you.
Suddenly he leaned forward a little further, his right hand
stabbing out toward Drake's leg beneath the table. But Anson
Drake was ready for him. Dabagil's hand was a full
(04:26):
three inches from Drake's thigh when a set of fingers
grasped his wrist in a vise like hold. Steely fingers
bit in, pressing nerves against bone. With a gasp, Doabajil
opened his hand. A small metallic cylinder dropped out. Drake
caught at it with his free hand and smiled, that's impolite, Dobby.
It is improper to try to give your host an
(04:47):
injection when he doesn't want it. Casually, he put the
cylinder against the arm, which he still held, and squeezed
the little metal tube. There's a faint pop. Drake released
the arm and handed back the cylinder. Dabagel's face was white.
I imagine that was twelve hour poison. Drake said, kindly,
if you hurry, old bell Gazade will give you the antidote.
(05:08):
It will be painful. But he shrugged. And by the way,
brother da Bigail, he continued, let me give you some advice.
The next time you try to get near a victim
with one of those things, don't do it by talking
to him about things he already knows. It doesn't distract him. Enough.
Do Bigail stood up, his fist clenched. I'll get you
for this, Drake. Then he turned and stalked off through
(05:30):
the crowd. No one had noticed the little biplay. Drake
smiled serifically and finished his drink. Doa Bigael was going
to be uncomfortable for a while. Twelve hour poison was
a complex protein that could be varied in several thousand ways,
and only an antidote made from the right variation would
work for each poison. And if the antidote wasn't given,
(05:51):
the victim died within twelve hours, And even if the
antidote was given, getting over the poison wasn't any fun
at all. Reflecting happy on the plight of Jomas Dobigel
ants and Drake paid his bill, tipped the waiter liberally,
and strolled out of the Flame Bird Room and into
the lobby of the Royal Gandal Hotel. The coronation would
(06:12):
begin tomorrow and he didn't want to miss the beginning
of it. The Shan's coronation was the affair of Thizar.
He went over to the robot news vendor and dropped
a coin in the slot. The reproducer hummed in a
freshly printed news facts dropped out. He headed the lift tube,
which whisked him up to his room on the eighty
first floor. He inserted his key in the lock and
(06:33):
pressed the button on the tip. The electronic lock opened
and the door slid into the wall. Before entering, Drake
took a look at the detector on his wrist. There
is no sign of anything having entered the room since
he had left it. Only then did he go inside.
With one of the more powerful financiers of Thizar out
after his blood, there was no way of knowing what
(06:55):
might happen, and therefore no reason to take chances. There
were some worlds where Ants and Drake would no more
have stayed in a public hotel than he would have
jumped into an atomic furnace, especially if his enemy was
a man as influential as Belgazade. But the Czar was
a civilized and reasonably well policed planet. The police were honest,
and the courts were just. Even Belgazad couldn't do anything openly.
(07:19):
Drake locked his door, sang to himself in a pleasant
baritone while he bathed, put on his pajamas, and lay
down on his bed to read the paper. It was
mostly full of coronation news. Noble so and so would
wear such and such, No archbishop would do thus and so.
There was another item about Belgazad. His daughter was ill
and would be unable to attend bloody shame, thought Drake.
(07:43):
Too bad. Belgazade is in sick or dying. There was
no further mention in the necklace of Algall. He was
second only to the crown Jewels of the Shan himself.
The precautions being taken were fantastic. At a quick guess
about half the crowd would be policemen. The door announced
her chimed in. Drake sat up and punched the door TV.
(08:04):
The screen showed the face of a girl standing at
his door. Trake smiled in appreciation. She had dark brown hair,
brown eyes, and a smooth, tanned complexion. It was a
beautiful face, and it showed promise of having a body
to match. Who may I ask is calling on a
gentleman at this ungodly hour and thus compromising her reputation
and fair name. The girl smiled, showing even white teeth,
(08:27):
and her eyes sparkled, showing flickers of little golden flames
against the round I see I found the right room.
That voice couldn't belong to anyone but Ants and Drake.
Then she lowered her voice and said softly, let me in.
I'm Norman Knight. Drake felt a tinge of psychic electricity
flow over his skin. There was a promise of danger
(08:48):
and excitement in the air. Norman Knight was known throughout
this whole sector of the galaxy as the cleverest jewel
thief the human race had ever spawned. Trake had never
met her, but he had definitely heard of her. He
touched the admission stud and the door slid silently aside.
There was no doubt about it. Her body did match
her face. Do you come in, Narma, he said. She
(09:11):
stepped inside, and Drake touched the closing button. The door
slid shut behind her. She stood there for a moment,
looking at him, and Drake took the opportunity to study
the girl more closely. At last, she said, so your
auntswer Drake, You're even better looking than i'd heard you were. Congratulations,
I have a good press agent, Drake said, modestly. What's
(09:34):
on your mind? He waved his hand at a nearby chair.
The same thing that's on yours, I suspect, She said,
do you have a drink to spare? Drake unlimbered himself
from the bed, selected a bottle from the menu and
dialed the robot. Bellhopped word and a chute opened on
the wall and a bottle slid out. Drake poured and
handed the tumbler to the girl and said, this is
(09:56):
your party. What do you have in mind? The girl
took a sip of her drink before she answered. Then
she looked up at Drake with her deep brown eyes.
Two things. One, I have no intention or desire to
compete with Ants and Drake for the necklace of algall.
Both of us might end up in jail with nothing
for our pains. Two. I have a full proof method
(10:17):
of getting a necklace, but none forgetting it off the planet.
I think you probably have a way, Trake nodded. I
dare say I could swing it. How does it happen
that you don't have an avenue of disposal plant? She
looked bleak for a moment. The man who was to
help me decided to back out at the last minute.
He didn't know what the job was, and I wouldn't
tell him because I didn't trust him, and you trust me.
(10:41):
Her eyes were very trustful. I've heard a lot about you, Drake,
and I happen to know that you never double cross
anyone unless they double cross you first. Trade about is
fair play? To quote an ancient maxim, Drake said, Grinning
had him a firm believer in fair play. But that's
neither here nor there. The point is what you have
to offer. Why shouldn't I just peach the gems myself
(11:04):
into a quick flit across the galaxy that would give
me all the loot? She shook her head. Belgazete is
on to you. You know, he knows you're here. His
own private police and the shand's own guard will be
at the coronation to protect all thy jewelry. She cocked
her pretty head to one side and looked at him.
What's between you and Belgazete? Anyway? I stole his toys
(11:27):
when he was a child, said Drake, and he hasn't
trusted me since. How do you propose to get the
necklace of algaholl? If I'd hint, she smiled and shook
her head slowly, that would be telling Hugh. Let me
take care of my part, and I'll let you take
care of yours. Drake shook his head, not so slowly,
absolutely not. We either work together or we don't work
(11:47):
at all. The girl frowned and thought for a moment,
and then reached into the belt pouch at her side
and pulled out a square of electro engraved plastic. She
handed it to Drake. Underneath all the flowery verbiage, it
boiled down to an invitation to attend the post coronation reception.
It was addressed to Miss Caroline Smith and was signed
(12:08):
and sealed by the Shan of the Czar himself. I'm
Caroline Smith, she said. I've managed to get in good
with the family of Belgazead and he wangled the invitation.
Now the plan is this, right after the invocation, while
the new shan is being prepared in a special coronation robes,
the nobles have to change their uniforms from red to green.
(12:30):
Belgazad will go into his suite in the palace to change.
He'll be accompanied by two guards. One will stay outside
and the other will help Belgazad dress. I've got the
room next to his and I've managed to get the
key that unlocks the door between them. I'll use this.
She pulled a small globe of metal from her pouch.
It's a sleep gas bomb. He'll knock him out for
(12:51):
at least twenty minutes. No one will come in during
that time, and I'll be able to get the necklace
and get out of the palace before they wake up.
They'll know you did it, Drake pointed out. If you're
still missing when they come in, the thief's identity will
be obvious. She nodded, that's where you come in. I'll
simply go out into the garden and throw it over
the wall to you. We'll meet here afterwards. Drake thought
(13:14):
it over and smiled devilishly. It sounds fine. Now let's
coordinate everything. They went over the whole plot again, this
time with a chart of the palace to mark everything out,
and a time schedule was arranged. Then they toasted to success,
and the girl left. When she was gone, ants and
Drake smiled ruefully to himself and opened a secret compartment
(13:35):
in his suitcase. From it, he removed a long strand
of glittering jewels, a perfect imitation, Drake said, and you're
very pretty. It's a shame I won't be able to
hang you around the neck of Belgazette in place of
the real necklace of Algol. But its original plan had
been more dangerous than the present one, and Anson Drake
was always ready to deserve a good plan for a
(13:57):
better one. Coronation day on bright and clear, and the
festivities began early. There were speeches and parades and dancing
in the streets. A huge fleet of high flying rockets
rumbled high in the stratosphere, filling the sky with white
traceries of their exhaust. For all of the Czar it
was a holiday, a day of rejoicing and happiness. Cheers
for the Shan filled the streets, and strings of music
(14:20):
came from the speakers of the public communications systems. Answering
Drake missed most of the fun. He was too busy
making plans. The day passed as he worked. The Tzar's
sun began to set as the time for the actual
crowning of the Shan approached. At the proper time, Drake
was waiting in the shadows outside the palace walls. There
were eyes watching him, and he knew it, but he
(14:41):
only smiled softly to himself and waited. It was the
girl on the other side of the wall. I'm here,
whispered Drake. Something that glittered faintly in the soft light
of the twin moons of Thizar arked over the wall.
Drake caught it in his hands. It was the necklace
of Algaol. He slipped it into a small plastic box
he was carrying, and then glanced at the detector on
(15:03):
his wrist. The screen showed a pale blue pip, which
indicated that someone was hiding the shadows a few yards
to his right. Trake didn't even glance toward the spy.
He put the plastic box contained the necklace into his
belt pouch and strode away from the palace he had
he figured about twenty minutes. He headed directly for the
space ship terminal. Never once did he look back, but
(15:26):
the detector on his wrist told him he was being
closely followed. Excellent. Inside the terminal, he went directly to
the baggage lockers. He found one that was empty, inserted
a coin and opened it from his pouch. He took
a plastic box, put it in the locker, switched on
the lock with his key, and strolled away. He glanced
again at his detector. He was no longer being followed
(15:47):
by the same man, another had taken up his trail.
It figured. It figured. He went straight to the hotel gandal,
making sure his tail didn't loose him. Not until they
were in the lobby did he make any attempt to
shake the man who was following him. He went into
the bar, ordered to drink and took a sip. He
left his change in the drink of the bar and
headed out the door in the direction of the men's room.
(16:09):
Whoever was following him wouldn't realize for a minute or
two he was leaving for good. A man doesn't usually
leave change in an unfinished drink in a bar. Drake
took the lift tube up to his room and attended
to some unfinished business and waited. Less than three minutes later,
the door is opened in walked fire In Belgazead and
his lieutenant, Joe Miss Dolbagel. Both of them looked triumphant,
(16:31):
and they were surrounded by a squad of Royal police.
There he is, said, Dobigel, arrest him. A policeman stepped
forward answered Drake, I arrest you in the name of
the Shan he said. Trake grinned, I'm what charge the
theft of the necklace of Algol. Drake looked directly at Belgazead.
Did old fat face here say I took it? You
(16:52):
can't talk that way. Dabagel snarled and stepped forward. Who
says so ugly? At that? Dabagel stepped far and threw
a hard punch from his shoulders, traded Drake's face. It
never landed. Drake's sidestepped and brought a smashing uppercut up
from his knees. It lifted Dabajel off his feet and
sent him crashing back against old Belgazade, toppling them both
(17:14):
to the floor. The policemen had all drawn their guns,
but Drake was standing placidly in the middle of the room,
his hands high above his head, regarding the scene. Calmly,
I'll go quietly. I've got no quarrel with the police.
One of the officers led him into the hall while
the others searched his room. Belgazed was sputtering incoherently. Another
policeman was trying to wake up Dabajel. If you're looking
(17:37):
for the necklace of algall, Drake said, he won't find
it there. The Captain of the police squad said, we
know that, mister Drake. We are merely looking for other evidence.
We already have the necklace. He reached in his belt
pouch and took out a small plastic box. He opened it,
disclosing a glittering rope of jewels. You were seen depositing
this in a baggage locker at the spaceship terminal. We
(17:58):
have witnesses who saw you and we had it removed
under police supervision Byron Belgazade smiled nastily. This time you
won't get away, Drake. Stealing anything from the Palace of
the Shan carries a minimum penalty of twenty years in
Tizar prison. Drake said nothing as I took him off
to the Royal Police Station and locked him in a cell.
(18:19):
He was late afternoon of the next day when the
prosecutor for the Shan visited Drake's cell. He was a tall,
imposing man, and Drake knew him by reputation as an
honest and energetic man. Mister Drake, he said, he his
who sat down in a chair in the cell. You
have refused to speak to anyone but me. I am,
of course perfectly willing to be of any assistance. But
I am afraid I must warn you that any statement
(18:40):
made to me will be used against you at the trial.
Drake leaned back in his own chair. One nice thing
about Theizar, he reflected, they had comfortable jails, my Lord prosecutor,
he said, I'd like to make a statement as I
understand it. Belgazad claims he was gassed along with the
police guard who was with him. When he woke up,
(19:00):
the necklace was gone. He didn't see his assailant. That
is correct, said the prosecutor. Trag grinned. That was the
way it had to be. Balgazade couldn't possibly have bribed
the comps, so they both had to be guanced. If
he didn't see as assailant, how does he know who
it was. You were followed from the palace by Jomas Dabagel,
who saw you put the necklace into the baggage locker.
(19:22):
There are several other witnesses to that. Drake leaned forward.
Let me point out, my Lord prosecutor, the only evidence
you have that I was anywhere near the palace is
the word of Jomas Dabagel, and he didn't see me
inside the palace. I was outside the wall. The prosecutor shrugged.
We admit the possibility of an assistant inside the walls
(19:42):
of the palace, he said. We are investigating that now.
But even if we never find your accomplice, we have
proof that you were implicated, and that is enough. But
what proof do you have, Drake said, blandly, why the
necklace itself? Of course? The prosecutor looked as though he
suspected Drake if having taken leave of his senses. Drake
shook his head. That necklace is mine. I can prove it.
(20:05):
It was made for me by a respectable jeweler on
Seldon too. It's a very good imitation, but it's a phony.
They aren't diamonds. They are simply well cut crystals of
titanium dioxide. Check them if you don't believe me. The
Lord Prosecutor looked dumbfounded. But what why, Drake said, I
brought it to give to my good friend, the noble Belgazad.
(20:26):
Of course it would be a gross insult to wear
them at the Shan's coronation, but he could wear them
at other functions. And how does my good friend repay
me by having me arrested? My Lord prosecutor. I am
a wronged man. The prosecutor swallowed heavily and stood up.
The necklace has naturally been impounded by the police. I
shall have the stones tested. You'll find their phone, news,
(20:48):
Drake said. And that means one of two things. Either
they are not the ones stolen from Belgazad, or Belgazade
has mortally insalted his shin by wearing false jewels to
the coronation. Well we shall see about this, said the
Lord Prosecutor. Anson Drake, free as a lark, was packing
his clothes in his hotel room when the announcer chimed.
(21:09):
He punched the TV pickup and grinned. It was the girl.
When the door slid aside, she came in, smiling. You
got away with it, Drake, wonderful. I don't know how
you did it. But did what Drake's looked innocent, get
away with the necklace. Of course, I don't know how
it happened that Dabajel was here. But but but, but,
Drake said, smiling. You don't seem to know very much
(21:31):
at all, do you? What what do you mean? Drake
put his last article of clothing in his suitcase and
snapped it shut. I'll probably be searched pretty thoroughly when
I get to their spaceport, he said coolly. But they
won't find anything on innocent man. Where's the necklace, she
asked in a throaty voice. Trag pretended not to hear.
(21:53):
It's a funny thing, he said. Old Belgazee would never
let the necklace out of his hands except to get me.
He thought to get it back by making sure I
was followed, But he made two mistakes. The girl put
her arms around his neck. His mistakes don't matter as
long as we have the necklace, do they? Anson Drake
was never a man to turn down an invitation like that.
(22:15):
He held her in his arms and kissed her long
and lingeringly. When he broke away, he went on as
though nothing had happened. Two mistakes. The first was thinking
up such an obviously silly plot. If it was as
easy to steal jewels from the palace as all that,
nothing would be save on the tizar. The second mistake
was sending his daughter to trap me. The girl gasped
(22:37):
and stepped back. It was very foolish of you, miss Belgazette,
he went on, calmly. You see I happened to know
the real Norman Knight was sentenced to seven years and
sailed in prison over a week ago. Unfortunately, the news
hadn't reached the Czaar yet. I knew from the first
the whole thing was to be a frame up. It's
too bad you father had to use the real necklace.
It's a shame he lost it. The girl's eyes blazed you,
(23:00):
you thief. You. She used words which no self respecting
lady is supposed to use. Drake waited until she was finished,
and then said, oh no, miss Belgazad, I'm no thief.
Your father can't consider the loss of that necklace as
a fine for running their contox, and you can tell
him that if I catch him again, it will be worse.
(23:21):
I don't like his kind of slime, and I'll do
my best to get rid of them. That's all, miss
b It was nice knowing you. He walked out of
the room, leaving her to stand there in helpless fury.
His phony necklace had come in handy. After all. The
police had thought they had the real one, so they
never bothered to check the mail service for a small package.
Mail was selled on too all. He had had to
(23:42):
do was drop it into the mail chute from his
room and then cool his heels in jail while the
glack Mails got rid of the loot for him, the
necklace of aalgall would be waiting for him when he
got to sell down too. End of heist Job on
Tizzar by Randall Garrett
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