to an electronic matrix with which it would, if acceptable, resonate perfectly. The copy had been assembled on the basis of some excellent graphic records; the original signet, as Retief knew, had been lost 軽自動車 中古車 irretrievably in a catastrophic palace fire, a century and a half ago.
He opened the box, showed the magnificent wine-red crystal set in platinum. Now was the moment. “This is the talisman which alone would prove the falseness of the impostor Rolan,” Retief said. “I call upon the honorable High Court to match it to the matrix; and while that is being done, I ask that the honorable Justices study carefully the genealogy included in the Imperial patent which I have presented to the court.”
A messenger was dispatched to bring in the matrix while the Justices adjusted the focus of their corrective lenses and clustered over the document. The chamber buzzed with tense excitement. This was a fantastic development indeed!
The High Justice looked up as the massive matrix device was wheeled into the room. He stared at Retief. “This genealogy—” he began.
A Justice plucked at his sleeve, indicated the machine, whispering something. The High Justice nodded.
Retief handed the silver box down carefully to a page, watched as the chamber of the machine was opened, the great crystal placed in position. He held his breath as technicians twiddled controls, studied dials, then closed a switch. There was a sonorous musical tone from the machine.
The technician looked up. “The crystal,” he said, “does match the matrix.”
Amid a burst of exclamations which died as he faced the High Justice, Retief spoke.
“My lords, peers of the Imperial Lily,” he said in a ringing voice, “know by this signet that we, Retief, by the grace of God Emperor, do now claim our rightful throne.”
And just as quickly as the exclamations had died, they rose once more—a mixture of surprise and awe.
EPILOG 車査定 UE
“A brilliant piece of work, Mr. Minister, and congratulations on your promotion,” the Ambassador-at-large said warmly. “You’ve shown what individualism and the unorthodox approach can accomplish where the academic viewpoint would consider the situation hopeless.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ambassador,” Retief replied, smiling. “I was surprised myself when it was all over, that my gamble paid off. Frankly, I hope I won’t ever be in a position again to be quite so inventive.”
“I don’t mind telling you now,” the Ambassador said, “that when I saw Magnan’s report of your