of the rooms, and I answered "yes" and told them to send a bottle of wineand a chicken along with it. The afternoon head chef--a redhaired lady namedClare--began studying me more closely, and more than once her gaze driftedtoward the silver rose on my cloak. I did not want to announce my identityjust then, and I thought they'd be a little afraid to guess ahead at it, atleast for a few hours. I did want the time to rest a bit and just enjoy thepleasure of being back. So, "Thanks," I said, and I went on my way to myquarters.

I started up the back stairs the servants use for being unobtrusive andthe rest of us for being sneaky.

Partway up, I realized that the way was blocked by sawhorses. Tools layscattered about the stairs though there were no workmen in sight--and Icouldn't tell whether a section of old stair had simply given way or whethersome other force had been brought to bear upon it.

I returned, cut around to the front, and took the big stairway up. As Imade my way, I saw signs of exterior repair work, including entire walls andsections of flooring. Any number of apartments were open to viewing. Ihurried to make sure that mine was not among their number.

Fortunately, it was not. I was about to let myself in when a bigredhaired fellow turned a corner and headed toward me. I shrugged. Somevisiting dignitary, no doubt...

"Corwin!" he called out. "What are you doing here?"

As he drew nearer, I saw that he was studying me most intently. I gavehim the same treatment.

"I don't believe I've had the pleasure," I said.

"Aw, come on, Corwin," he said. "You surprised me. Thought you were offby your Pattern and the '57 Chevy."

I shook my head.

"Not sure what you're talking about," I said.

He narrowed his eyes.

"You're not a Pattern ghost?" he said.

"Merlin told me something about them," I said, "after he effected my