Chapter 18 Summary

Thorby is trying to make sense out of the legal documentation concerning his property rights and level of legal control over the Rudbek estate. Thorby asks Weemsby if he can see the authorization papers his parents signed detailing who should have control of the property in their absence. At this request, Weemsby, who had been trying to ingratiate himself to Thorby, grows suddenly hostile and uncooperative.

Thorby is given a luxurious office at Rudbek and Assoc. Ltd. where he is waited on hand and foot by his own personal secretary, and sets out to learn how the family business works. He is disappointed when he finds that he finds the entire enterprise rather pointless. He was used to handling the business of the free traders, where concrete items are bought and sold for a profit. He also suspects that Baslim would disapprove of...