Posted on November 22, 2025November 22, 2025The Gambler’s Gift (continued . . .) The richly appointed reception room was filled with a roar of devastating sound. When it was all over, Zudd stated his terms. It breaks my heart to have to do this to you, Nastor. But I’m going to have to increase my percentage of your profits from seventy-five to ninety per cent. I’ll call around for the first payment next week. Meanwhile, the great scientist Peric was carrying out his private enquiries into the past career of Nastor the ‘healer’. You say that the child used to suffer from headaches, but that they have lessened since Nastor attended him ? I keep telling you that. Don’t you believe me ? Later, Peric stalked, unannounced, into Nastor’s home. Who are you ? I am Peric the scientist, and I have a notion that you are one of the biggest scoundrels alive ! However, there is just an outside chance that you might be genuine. I am told that you can attract metals like a magnet. Show me ! Y-Yes. The demonstration took place. There ! Allowing for the fact that a tenth-rate illusionist could perform such a feat on the stage, even allowing for that, I am impressed. I became interested in you, my friend, when I learned that you had been tampering with Janno’s brain. Janno is a friend of mine, and if you have done him any harm with your quackery, I’ll see to it that you eke out your days in the punishment mines. On their arrival at Janno’s family villa. Lord Janno has gone to the private flying field. He stated that his health was so much improved that he would try his hand at a few stunts. Quick ! Back into the car ! We must stop him ! As they arrived at the flying field . . . Look out ! Minutes later, Janno landed and grinned into the shocked face of his old friend, Peric. That put at least ten lunar years on my life, so there’s no telling what it did to you. We’re going to settle this faith-healing business once and for all. Both of you are coming back to my laboratory for extensive tests. For the rest of that day, Peric subjected both Janno and nastor to the most rigorous scientific analyses. And at the end of it . . . What’s your verdict ? Faith-healing or no faith- healing, you’re cured. You can go back to the Air Fleet tomorrow. You mean . . ? No, you haven’t worked a miracle ! There is a scientific explanation for the powers that have come to you as a result of being struck by lightning. In layman’s terms, your body electricity has increased to a degree where you are able to alter other people’s electrical impulses. In cases where their brain patterns have been disturbed by injury — as in Janno’s case—you can do a great deal of good. It’s a great gift, nastor. You must use it well. I wanted to make a fortune. I made a fortune—but it brought me nothing but trouble ! If you’re worrying about the zudd gang, put your mind at rest. Peric tells me he’s put the Trigan police on to them. There are bound to be other unscrupulous people who would try to exploit me and my great gift. There’s only one thing for it. I promise to give my services free, to the people who need it most and I will keep that promise. This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 723 on 22 November 1975.
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.
