Free Gary Gygax - Dangerous Journeys 3 - Death in Delhi by Gary Gygax Page B

silvery streams of water upwards to tinkle and splash in tiered pools alive with brightly colored little fish. Large oriental carpets covered sections of the huge floor. Ornate furniture of teak and mahogany was scattered about in appropriate places. Vases and brass-work, even ivoiy, made the decor fairly shriek that only those with great wealth dare enter.
    The magister stopped when he was within a few feet of them, dropping his burden. Rachelle was at his side, likewise relieving herself of the bag she carried. The studiousness with which these actions were ignored was almost laudable. Inhetep, however, had no such reaction. In fact, he was annoyed at the pretension and implicit insult conveyed.
    He snapped his fingers. "You there! Yes, you!" he snapped when one of the men turned languidly to stare down his nose at the offensive display. "I will speak to the owner now. Immediately. Fetch him!"
    Contempt fled sniveling before unease, followed by fear. What if this fellow was somebody after all? After a slight hesitation, the man swallowed and said, "Yes, sir." When their comrade said that, the other three looked at Inhetep, trying to seem self-assured and casual.
    "You have duties here?" the magister said in his authoritative voice. The gossipers scattered, suddenly remembering important matters demanding their attention.
    Just then a man in an expensive robe of silk appeared, the one sent to fetch him fluttering in his wake. "How may I be of assistance?" he inquired with a tone somewhere between lofty doubt and efficient hospitality.
    "That remains to be seen," the magister said sharply in reply as he ran his eyes over the shorter man as if appraising him. "You are the owner of this . . . place?"
    "Ah, well, no. I am the manager, however, and—"
    Inhetep sniffed when he identified his position, cut him short with, "That will do if the owner isn't here. Your establishment is lax. Your help inefficient and rude. That reflects badly on the owner—and worse on you who are in charge of such a staff. Train them or find competent people. Such advice I give you at no cost."
    The manager's mouth worked, but Inhetep refused to allow him the opportunity to say anything. "We have come all the way from Bombay, stopping here because the secretary of Prince Parvanarma assured me your facilities were adequate. I shall be sorry to disabuse him." With that, the magister turned as if he were leaving.
    "Please, sahib," the manager pleaded. "Do not be over hasty, I beg of you." He came to place himself between the two and the exit, saying rapidly in unctuous tones. "This is indeed a worthy place of rest and enjoyable relaxation, offering every amenity to the visitor of high caste and distinctive taste. Stay here! I will see that any little oversight you experienced on first arriving will be more than made up for—"
    "You view inattention, insult, as little? I shall tell that to the prince himself, as well as communicate your attitude to the owner. What is the name of he who owns this place?!"
    "You misunderstand! No, wait! I speak in confused fashion because I am so distraught at the heinous conduct of those who formerly were employed here. Allow me to show you to a lounge where you can have tea and such other refreshment as you might desire while I personally attend to your suite. There will be no charge for the refreshments. ..." He paused for breath as he said that, peering up into Inhetep's face. What he saw didn't reassure him. The manager hastened on with even greater urgency: "Or for the room, of course. Never would the Rajah's charge a noble client such as the sahib for its services, considering the unfortunate circumstances!"
    "Services? We shall see. However, since your offer indicates there might be merit to this place after all, I suspend my previous judgment. We will be staying two nights, possibly three. We will need some light comestibles to accompany our tea, and don't be long in readying our rooms. There we require a bath.