Lipka let out a wail of anguish as one of the guards picked up the Great Green Diadem.

We’ll cut this up and dispose of it. It will fetch enough money to keep us in luxury for the rest of our lives.

No! Do not harm The diadem! It is utter perfection!

He was felled by a brutal blow.

Babbling fool! What do we care for perfection? We’ve done your bidding, and now we’re taking our payment.

Loaded weapons were trained on the helpless pair.

And now we’ll still your wagging tongues for ever!

But one person had been entirely overlooked—Janno. And he burst upon the scene like a thunderbolt.

Uuuuuuugh!

Eeeeeeeeeeghh!

The remaining guards rushed forward to deal with the young Trigan.

He must have broken out of his cage. Seize him!

Picking up a fallen weapon, Janno took hasty aim.























The projectiles neatly severed the massive vertebrae of the Monster of Vorg and the great fossilised bones came hurtling down.

Aaaaaaah!

No!

Eeeeeeeeh!

Moments later, all was silent in the great hall. Peric laid his hand on the shoulder of he who had collected perfection.

Come, Lipka. I will be at your side when you confess all.

You have been good to me, Peric—better than I deserve.

The great scientist pleaded Lipka’s case before the highest authority of the empire, Trigo himself.

It is my submission, Imperial Majesty, that Lipka has not stolen for profit, nor has he done any bodily harm to anyone. Furthermore, he is willing to make full restitution for any damage or inconvenience caused by his insatiable desire to be surrounded by perfection.

I am willing to pardon him, provided we can be assured that he keeps his insatiable desire in check. Any suggestions, Peric?

Yes, Sire. Frankly, this fellow is bored to death by being a multimillionaire. He needs a job of work!

What employment have you in mind?

I thought your Imperial Majesty might appoint him—Curator-General of the Imperial Museums!

And so, Lipka was from then on surrounded by the perfection he craved. As Curator-General, he was responsible for every museum in the vast empire.

And all mine!

. . . In a manner of speaking!

His eye often fell upon the restored fossil of the Monster of Vorg, and then he remembered.

Was that really the fiercest thing that ever lived, sir?

Yes, my boy, and it can still smite mightily, I assure you!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 731 on 17 January 1976.