The guard’s shouts brought others running. Overpower him! That animal has spirited away the Emperor! Trigo protested . . . in vain! But . . . I am the . . . What was he going to say? We’ll find out soon enough! Inform the Lord Brag of what’s happened! Later that morning, Janno landed his fighting-craft and was immediately given a summons. Janno, your father wants you back at the Palace . . . and it’s urgent! Janno arrived at the Imperial Palace to find Brag and the Imperial Council in session. I came as quickly as I could, Father. What is it? The Emperor’s missing. a fellow was found in his apartments this morning . . . a complete stranger who claims to be the Emperor! It’s absurd, of course—merely part of a deep-laid conspiracy—but I propose to subject this imposter to a close and intimate questioning, just to find out how well he has been briefed on the details of your Uncle Trigo’s life. For the rest of that day, the horrified Emperor—still stunned from the dreadful shock of seeing another man’s face reflected back at him—was closely questioned by his own brother and nephew. Describe the character of your father! Quickly! He . . . he was a kindly man . . . That’s in the history books! Be more specific!At the end of it . . . Well, my Lord? Is he your brother? Of course not! Mind you, he has been briefed in detail on the lives of members of the Royal Family. The people behind my brother’s disappearance have been very thorough. I can’t understand it! Why should this imposter be posing as my brother—and where is Trigo? In another part of the city, a third-rate theatrical performance was just finishing. The leading actor—Russ—who was playing the role of the Emperor Trigo—took his bow. I thank you, my friends, for your wild applause! When he entered his dressing tent . . . Another one of those strange notes! “ . . . The time has come for you to step into the greatest real-life role of your career. Be at The House of the Five Moons at the ninth hour!“ “The House of the Five Moons” was a ramshackle tavern in a seedy part of the city dockland. One light burned in an upper window as the actor approached it that night. Am I wise . . . to be coming to this awful place?
This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 598 on 30 June 1973.
