The Project Gutenberg EBook of Indirection, by Everett B. Cole

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Title: Indirection

Author: Everett B. Cole

Illustrator: Freas

Release Date: November 5, 2007 [EBook #23339]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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INDIRECTION

_The best way to keep a secret is to publish it in a
quite unbelievable form--and insist that it is the truth._

BY EVERETT B. COLE

Illustrated by Freas

Elwar Forell leaned back in his chair, looking about the small dining
salon. The usual couples were there, he noticed. Of course, the faces
were different from those of last evening, but the poses were similar.
And the people were there for the same reasons. They were enjoying the
food and drinks, just as many others had enjoyed them before. But like
all those others, their greater enjoyment was in the company of one
another. Forell glanced at the vacant chair across the table from him
and sighed.

It would be nice, he thought, if-- But any arrangement involving a
permanent companion would be hardly practical under his circumstances.
After all, prudence dictated limits.

He picked up his cup and drained it, then leaned back and beckoned the
waiter over.

"The reckoning, please," he ordered.

He looked again at the letter on the table before him, then folded it
and put it in his pocket. It was well, he thought. His latest book of
fairy tales and fantasy had enjoyed good acceptance. And the check in
the letter had been of satisfactory size. He smiled to himself. There
were compensations in this job of his. It seemed to be profitable to
have a purpose other than the obvious and usual one.

He paid his bill and left the restaurant, to walk slowly along the
street, enjoying the mild, spring air.

As he passed a sidewalk cafe, a man beckoned from one of the tables.

"Oh, Forell," he called. "I was hoping I'd see you this evening." He
held up a book.

"Just finished your 'Tales of the Sorcerers,'" he added.