Posted on November 22, 2025November 22, 2025 by YarriThe 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.
