"Counterfeit? You do not believe he was the Bud-
dha?"
She laughed, briefly.
"Sam was the greatest charlatan in the memory of
god or man. He was also the worthiest opponent Tri-
murti ever faced. Don't look so shocked at my saying
it. Archivist! You know that he stole the fabric of his
doctrine, path and attainment, the whole robe, from
prehistorical forbidden sources. It was a weapon, noth-
ing more. His greatest strength was his insincerity. If
we could have him back ..."
"Lady, saint or charlatan, he is returned."
"Do not jest with me, Tak."
"Goddess and Lady, I just left the Lord Yama shut-
ting down the pray-machine, frowning his frown of
success."
"The venture was against such mighty odds. . . .
Lord Agni once said that no such thing could ever be
done."
Tak stood.
"Goddess Ratri," he said, "who, be he god or man,
16 ROGER ZELAZNY
or anything between, knows more of such matters than
Yama?"
"I have no answer for that question, Tak, because
there is none. But how can you say of a certainty that
he has netted us our fish?"
"Because he is Yama."
"Then take my arm, Tak. Escort me again, as once
you did. Let us view the sleeping Boddhisatva."
He led her out the door, down the stairs, and into the
