"Jack Vance - Demon Prince 04 - The Face" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

has suffered substantial damage, that debt or damage having opti-
mally occurred locally and at a recent time As of now we satisfy
none of the requirements Therefore we could not obtain a valid
writ."

530 THE DEMON PRINCES

Gersen nodded. "I expected as much." He waited patiently
while Addels pulled at his bony chin and selected words.

"In connection with the Ettilia Gargantyr itself, I have searched
records for liens, debts, and other actions under litigation. As ships
of space pass from port to port, they often incur small debts or
inflict minor damages, which usually no one troubles to pursue. The
EttiUa Gargantyr is no exception. Two years ago an incident oc-
curred at Thrump on David Alexander's Planet. The captain pro-
vided a banquet for a group of local freight agents, employing ship's
stewards and other personnel to prepare and serve the meal. Instead
of the Gargantyr*s mess hall, he chose to use a chamber at the
spaceport. The Thrump Victuallers Guild asserted that such a pro-
cess contravened local ordinance. They registered a claim for lost
wages and punitive damages. The ship departed before a summons
could be served, so the action remains in abeyance, pending the
ship's return, which is unlikely."

Addels paused to reflect. Gersen waited patiently. Addels made
delicate adjustment of his thoughts and spoke on: "The Victualler
Guild meanwhile negotiated a loan with a certain Cooney's Bank,
chartered at Thrump on the same David Alexander's Planet. Along
with other assets they pledged the cause of action against the Ettilia
Gargantyr. A month or so ago the Guild defaulted on the debt, and
the suit has now been transferred to the interest of Cooney's Bank."
Addels' voice took on a speculative tone. "It has often occurred to
me that your affairs might most flexibly be handled through a bank.
Cooney's Bank, while essentially sound, suffers from a tired old
management. The stock sells at a reasonable price and you could
easily buy control. Branches might then be established wherever it
became expedient to do so: for instance at Rath Eileann."

"The lawsuit could then be transferred, so I assume."

"Quite correct."

"And a lien could be laid so as to hold the ship here at Rath
Eileann?"

"I have made inquiries, in terms of hypothetical cases. I find
that the suit may not be filed either at the City Podium nor the
Land Court, but only at the Court of Interworld Equity, which sits
three times a year at the Estremont under a Circuit Propounder. I