to work like a man possessed, and by early March, a much-improved
version of the craft he had delivered was ready to take to the air. It
was to be launched from high ground, gliding like a sea-bird from its
clifftop nest. Preparations had also been made to produce several more
but, before they could be completed, a suitable mechanism had to be
found to move them through the air. Steam was a possibility, but none
of the existing engines was small enough, and the craft could not be
fuelled by logs or coal whilst in the air! If steam was the answer,
then a special lightweight engine using entirely new principles would
have to be created. Undaunted by the problems, Brickman set to work.
Lord Kiyo Min-Orota, impressed by Brickman's energy and his impeccable
demeanour, which was the equal of a samurai's in every respect, sought
some way to reward him for the host of useful devices created by his
restless pen. This was a goose driven by some inner compulsion to lay
golden eggs. The bird must be kept well-fed and given a comfortable
nest until it was time to wring its neck.
Like Mutes, long-dogs had traditionally been accorded slave status, but
Min-Orota felt that Brickman was a' special case meriting more
favourable treatment. And so it was, as if by magic, that Brickman was
installed in a small but elegant dwelling-house, staffed by Korean
female body-slaves. Lord Min-Orota accepted his effusive thanks
without telling him that Koreans, along with Thais and Vietnamese, were
one of the 'unpure' breeds who inhabited the lower strata of Iron
Master society. To a true Son of Ne-Issan - a samurai from a noble
family the provision of such inferior servants would have been a mortal
insult; to the long-dog, unaware of such subtleties, it was an
undreamt-of luxury.
During an earlier visit, Toshiro had tactfully conveyed to the
domain-lord the Shogun's feeling that Brickman's unprecedented
elevation from slave status was both unnecessary and inappropriate.
Lord Min-Orota had been at pains to reassure him that it was purely a
temporary arrangement which could bring important material benefits not
only to his house but to the Shogun himself.
And the long-dog's eventual fall from grace would provide an amusing
diversion.
But there were other aspects of the present situation which were less
amusing and it was upon these that Toshiro proceeded to report. The
female Mute who had been taken into protective custody by
Consul-General Nakane Toh-Shiba had mysteriously dropped out of
circulation.
By diligent detective work and with the help of the local network of
agents and informers, Toshiro had uncovered an illicit sexual liaison
which, although disturbing in itself, had turned out to have far more
