Early morning passers-by in the main square of Trigan City were shocked to receive the news. Four Daveli guardsmen were dashed to unconsciousness, and the priceless regalia was removed from the Imperial Palace! Enquiries are continuing . . . Senior police officers were assisted by the splendid mind of Peric, Elekton’s top scientist. The Daveli guardsmen were questioned. We remember nothing . . . only the thunderbolt that came out of the night. I confess that I am completely baffled. Peric left the Palace with his young friend Janno. How is your comrade Vella after his lucky escape? It was not luck that saved him, Peric. It was a miracle! Let me tell you, Janno, that that there are no such things as miracles. Every phenomenon has a logical scientific explanation . . . . . . even thunderbolts that come out of the night! Meanwhile, back in his apartment, Vella was displaying his loot to his accomplice. They’re priceless right enough—but that also means that no one will buy them, since they’ll be instantly recognisable. Quite so. But I shall break them up—thus—and make what money I can with the bits and pieces. Yes, there’s no doubt about it your old game of selling secrets to Trigan’s enemies is a better racket than jewel-robbery. Secrets never lose their value. Exactly! And with your advantage, the Empire’s secrets are yours for the asking! The recently-completed Imperial Archives building was a bomb-proof fortress surrounded by a moat, which was constantly patrolled by gunboats.No one saw a trickle of water pour itself silently into the moat . . . . . . And rise at the far side, towards a narrow ventilator grille. In the deepest fastness of the building, the chief archivist was addressing his assistant. This memorandum contains a diplomatic secret so delicate that, in the wrong hands, it could plunge the Empire into disAster! It is to be destroyed! Do it! Yes, sir. Moments later, when the assistant was alone . . . By all the stars! Is that rainwater, leaking in through the airconditioner? The water spread swiftly . . . touched his feet . . . and . . . Eeeaaaaaaghh! Vella reconstituted himself from his equal volume of water, and picked up the fateful memorandum. Well, well, well!—Who’d have believed it? This is a stroke of luck!
This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 555 on 2 September 1972.
