Though she had seen the fat little man a number of times, she did not know muchabout him. Nobody else did either. It was certain that he had first appeared inSanctuary six weeks (sixty days) ago. A merchant ship of the Banmalts people hadbrought him, but this indicated little about his origin since the ship ported atmany lands and islands. ^
Smhee had quickly taken a room on the second floor of a building, the first ofwhich was occupied by the K-habeeber or 'Diving Bird' Tavern. (The proprietorhad jocularly named it thus because he claimed that his customers dived asdeeply into alcohol for surcease as the khabeeber did into the ocean for fish.)He did no work nor was he known to thieve or mug. He seemed to have enough moneyfor his purposes, whatever they were, but then he lived frugally. Because hesmeared his body and hair with rancid butter, he was called 'The StinkingButterball' or 'Old Rotten', though not to his face. He spent time in all thetaverns and also was often seen in the farmers' market and the bazaar. As far aswas known, he had shown no sexual interest in men or women or children. Or, asone wag put it, 'not even in goats'.
His religion was unknown though it was rumoured that he kept an idol in a smallwooden case in his room.
Now, sitting on the floor by Kheem, making the child drink water every halfhour, Masha questioned Smhee. And he in turn questioned her.
'You've been following me around,' Masha said. 'Why?'
'I've also investigated other women.'
'You didn't say why.'
'One answer at a time. I have something to do here, and I need a woman to helpme. She has to be quick and strong and very brave and intelligent. And