Posted on November 15, 2025November 15, 2025The Gambler’s Gift (continued . . .) A light sports craft flew to what seemed like certain destruction. The wing-span was only a hairsbreadth narrower than the width of the bridge, but the pilot made it. How was that ? Magnificent ! Later, when they had landed in Trigan City. Here’s your fifty zersts. I don’t understand you, Lord Janno. Why pay good money to risk your neck—and mine— in wild stunts like that ? Janno’s voice was bitter and regretful. I’m only alive when I feel the thrill and the fear of danger. I can no longer pilot, so I have to do my living second hand. I’m sorry for you, Lord Janno, and that’s the truth. Janno drove to a sumptuous villa outside the city. I have come for my appointment with Nastor. The Wise One will see you now, Lord Janno. Nastor’s new reception room was a far cry from the fisherman’s hovel where he had lately plied his strange trade. And how are the headaches, my son ? Do you know, Nastor, I really think they are not so frequent nor so painful. You must be doing me good. Talk yourself into feeling better by all means, you stupid fellow ! Thanks to you, the richest people on this planet are falling over themselves to become my patients ! There was another caller at the “healer’s” villa, a humble fishwife and her child. But the Wise One must see my little boy. He’s done him so much good already ! Those days are over, woman. Get you gone. You can’t afford the Wise One’s services any more. There had been a witness to the incident— the great scientist Peric, who had called to see Nastor for reasons of his own. Wait, please, my good woman. You say that Nastor has actually benefited your child ? Yes, sir. And many others down in the fishing village. That fellow must be a cheat and a mountebank. He’s taking advantage of Janno’s high rank to help him to become rich. I must make enquiries ! Later that day, Nastor had more visitors. Keep watch until I yell for you. If anyone tries to come in, bend them slightly ! The ex-gambler greeted the newcomer with some unease. Nice place you’ve got here, Nastor. You must be making a fortune. Haven’t I seen you somewhere before ? In Nastor’s former life on the edge of the underworld, he had come across many unsavoury characters. I know who you are. You’re Zudd— the gangster ! Let’s talk business, Nastor. From now on, I’m your manager and you pay me seventy-five percent of your earnings from this racket ! I’ll bring in the boys to show that we mean business ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 722 on 15 November 1975.
Posted on November 8, 2025November 8, 2025The Gambler’s Gift (continued . . .) That year’s Empire Day celebrations included a spectacular close-formation aerobatic display by Janno’s former comrades of the Air Fleet. As they flashed over the crowd . . . . . . Janno watched from his place in the Imperial box. A splendid display. Who’s the formation leader ? Keren. It could have been me. Janno’s father, Brag, was well aware of the bitter misery that threatened to destroy his son’s whole life. The next morning, at breakfast, Brag spotted an item in the newspaper. Here’s something that should interest you, Janno. The picture and the news item told of a miracle-working healer who had seemingly cured a lifelong cripple. It’s obviously a hoax. These fellows crop up from time to time. They cheat a few simple-minded folk out of their hard-earned money, and then disappear. On the Vorg sea coast . . . living in a fisherman’s cottage. I’ll have some enquiries made about this fellow. Hey ! Where are you going, Janno ? In no time, Janno was driving at full speed for the Vorg sea coast. A chance to be cured ! To be able to fly again ! I’m going to grab at it with both hands ! In a humble coastal village, Nastor, a gambler had gained an undeserved reputation for faith-healing. The simple fisher-folk showed their gratitude by gifts of money. And how is the little fellow faring ? Much better since you’ve been seeing him, sir. Suddenly, the crowd fell back in awe. Can you cure me also, sir ? It’s Lord Janno ! The Emperor’s nephew ! He was injured in a crash, wasn’t he ? Well, can you cure me ? I can try, my son. The following day, Nastor the ex-gambler who had been struck by lightning, became a nationwide celebrity. Thanks to the patronage of the Imperial family, the obscure faith-healer from a slum fishing village has rocketed to fame. From all over the Empire and beyond, wealthy sick people are bidding to be his patients. Nastor rejoiced. I’ve made it ! Fame and riches at last ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 721 on 8 November 1975.
Posted on November 1, 2025November 1, 2025The Gambler’s Gift (continued . . .) An instant before impact, Janno’s sixth sense made him hit the escape button . . . Seconds later the high-tension wires blew the plane to pieces. The result was inevitable—a court martial. You are indicted on two counts. Firstly, you did fly dangerously and without due caution. Secondly, you did fly while knowing yourself to be medically unfit. How do you plead to these two charges ? Guilty to both, sir. In view of your excellent record, no further disciplinary action will be taken. But you are removed from the list of air fleet pilots. Never to fly again . . . Never ! What am I going to do ? Meanwhile, in the fishing village on the coast, the gambler Nastor, now recovered from his accident, was continuing with his “faith-healing” among the simple fisher folk. How is the little fellow ? Much better, sir. Every time you see him, he improves. Alone, Nastor was quite frank with himself. No one ever gets better, but it makes them feel better, to be in contact with me. A pity it can’t go on for much longer, because it’s more profitable than being an unsuccessful gambler, but they’ll see through me in the end. He tested again the strange power that had followed his being struck by lightning. But the way I can attract metals as if by magnetism . . . that’s genuine enough ! One day, Nastor chanced upon a vagabond and immediately an idea sprang into his mind. See here, fellow, do you want to earn yourself a few zersts ? Certainly, good sir— provided I don’t have to work for it. Working’s against my conscience, you see. That evening, when Nastor received his “patients”, the vagabond limped forward on crutches . . . I’ve been crippled since birth, sir, and they say you can cure me. We’ll do what we can, friend. He laid his hand on the vagabond’s shoulder. Did we say ten zersts or twenty ? We said ten. I’ve changed my mind. It’s worth twenty ! Indeed, Nastor got twenty zersts’ worth of excellent acting. I can walk ! I’m cured . . . cured ! There were tourists present in the village that day. One of them—a Trigan City newspaperman on holiday—made a visual record of the event. I’ll get a picture of this. We could use it in the paper. This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 720 on 1 November 1975.
