Chiun waved a dismissive hand. "A mere detail. A trifling of no moment in the magnitude of this event. Lo, my descendants will sing in praise of this hour for generations to come," Chiun said loudly. "After too long a time, the House of Sinanju has been reunited with the most kind, most generous, most able client it has ever known, Smith the Wise."
"It has been only three months," reminded. Smith.
"Three long months," Chiun corrected. "Each day a year, each month an eternity. But at last it is over."
"What about Remo?"
Chiun's pleased expression fled. "Remo is happy in Sinanju. We do not need him. Or he, us."
"I see,"
"You see all," Chiun smiled.
"This could work out," said Smith slowly. His mind was racing. Only days ago, the thought of having to deal with the mercurial Chiun would have sent him reaching for his Maalox, but now, with this Smith-killer matter, Chiun's reappearance might be the best thing that could happen.
"Do I understand that our last contract is now in force once more?"
"Not quite," said the Master of Sinanju, settling on the floor in front of Smith's heavy desk.
And Smith-who knew that when Chiun sat on the floor like that it meant that it was time to renegotiate-grabbed two extra-sharp pencils and a yellow legal pad and joined him on the worn hardwood floor.
"Remo will not be considered a part of this negotiation," began Chiun.
Smith nodded. "That would mean a reduction, retroactive, on the prepayment due to the loss of his services."
"Not quite," said the Master of Sinanju.
"What then?"
"It requires an additional payment above the prepayment."
Smith snapped the pencil in his hand. "How do you figure that?" he said angrily.
"Without Remo, I will have to work twice as hard as before; And I am an old man, frail and in my declining years."
"How much more?" Smith asked tightly.
"Half. Half would be fair."
Smith, who was facing death from an unknown assassin, balanced the cost of Chiun's demands against the probable expense of finding a new CURE director and decided they were roughly equal.
"Done," he said, writing it down.
"And I further require other amenities-lodging and clothes."
"Clothes?"
"Because I came by air; I was unable to carry my possessions with me. I have only a kimono or two, nothing more."
Smith, suddenly remembering the news report of the Air Force transport that had the mysterious stowaway the day before, understood completely.
"I don't know where we're going to find a clothier who specializes in kimonos, but I'll see what I can do."
"Do not trouble yourself. Introduce me to a worthy tailor, and he and I will work out the details."
"Done. Anything else?"
"One last item. Traveling expenses."
"How much?" Smith asked, bracing himself.
"Seven dollars and thirty-nine cents."
"You traveled from Sinanju to America and spent only seven-thirty-nine?"
"It was the strangest thing. No one asked me for money. But the American flight did not serve meals for some reason and I was forced to dine in a restaurant before sojourning here to Fortress Folcroft."
And the Master of Sinanju smiled innocently.
"I imagine you'll require living expenses until I requisition the gold," Smith said wryly.
"I was not going to mention it, but yes," said Chiun.
"I'll get you an American Express card."
"American . . . ?" said Chiun, puzzled.
"Gold card, of course."
"Of course." Chiun beamed. He had no idea what Smith was babbling about, but was willing to agree to anything that involved gold.
When they had finished amending the old contract and initialing the changes, the Master of Sinanju signed with a flourish.
"And now you," he said happily, turning the contract over to Smith.
Smith scrawled his signature, wondering why Chiun seemed so delighted. Usually upon signing even the most generous contract, he acted like he had been victimized by Smith's sharp trading. And why had Chiun willingly left Remo back in Sinanju? Could there be a problem between the two of them? As soon as the thought entered his head, Smith dismissed it. Remo and Chiun were inseparable. But then, why were they separated?
When Smith finished, Chiun rose to his feet like smoke arising from an incense burner.
"I am at your service, O just one. Merely point and I will cut down your enemies like the wheat in the field."
"As a matter offact, I do have a problem."
"Name it," said Chiun.
"It's difficult. It involves another assassin."