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           "Ihaven’tanyclaimonBen.Ijustknow?thatifIturnedupmissingBenwouldlookforme–untilhefoundme.SoI’vegottolookforhim!"

           Jubalbreathedasilentmaledictionagainstalleldergodsinanywayinvolvedincontrivingthefolliesofthehumanrace,thensaidaloud,"Allright,allright,ifyoumust,thenlet’strytogetsomelogicintoit.Doyouplantohireprofessionals?Sayaprivatedetectivefirmthatspecializesinmissingpersons?"

           Shelookedunhappy."Isupposethat’sthewaytogoaboutit.Uh,I’veneverhiredadetective.Aretheyexpensive?"

           "Quite."

           Jillgulped."Doyousupposetheywouldletmearrangetopay,uh,inmonthlyinstallments?Orsomething?"

           "Cashatthestairsistheirusualway.Quitlookingsogrim,child;Ibroughtthatuptodisposeofit.I’vealreadyhiredthebestinthebusinesstotrytofindBen–sothereisnoneedforyoutohockyourfuturetohirethesecondbest."

           "Youdidn’ttellme!"

           "Noneedtotellyou."

           "But-Jubal,whatdidtheyfindout?"

           "Nothing,"hesaidshortly."Nothingworthreporting,sotherewasnoneedtoputyouanyfurtherdowninthedumpsbytellingyou."Jubalscowled."Whenyoushoweduphere,IthoughtyouwereunnecessarilynervyaboutBen–Ifiguredthesameashisassistant,thatfellowKilgallen,thatBenhadgoneyippingoffonsomenewtrail?andwouldcheckinwhenhehadthestorywrappedup.Bendoesthatsortofstunt–it’shisprofession."Hesighed."ButnowIdon’tthinkso.