nothing of worth to offer us at two. The hexagram was Forty-seven.

 now; the effort had failed
 now; the effort had failed. Franklin D." Baynes said." Wyndam-Matson said. not the gun." "Welfare work on a worldwide scale. he thought. However. "Send that. glowed with animation; her eyes had become large and she gestured as she talked. They are not sitting helplessly waiting. I must have pressed two buttons at once. "Charley. given a treatment to make it appear old and worn. ." the Non-Ferrous man said. It's a fact. If those Nazis can fly back and forth between here and Mars. Clear back those racks of ties." Rising. done on board. "Freiherr. He's a natural leader; he almost inspired me. It upset her. "The rig went on. "Please call a pedecab for me.

 I wish him luck. He will be able to give us information. "I'll call the gym. Don't I know? Juliana thought. intense. he had the doorman call a pedecab for him. almost beseeching. due to body. That's what I couldn't stand. every particle being connected with every other; you can't fart without changing the balance in the universe. To see if I'm taking any interest. gauges." The salesman had now spent well over an hour showing his wares. Once more. Tagomi thought. "Porter!" The black trotted toward him. the houses. and these thrifty. a tall. Former head of Hitler Youth. like listening to Fred Allen or seeing a W. . "Look here. a child there. Shinjiro Yatabe. .

 if you want them. the power of fiction. "Here am I aboard iron horse." He heard his voice sound out firm. Yellow. "No interest in authentic American folk jazz. but my understanding is that one can find good food in the international section. Therefore impossible. The man had been an imposter. When he had finished with his customer. So she was wrong for me; I know that. For months now she had been living here in Canon City. Tagomi returned -- carrying a glass of water and some sort of pill -- Mr.It furthers one to bring even a small offering." Mr. "Never heard of them. So much to ask the sages. An expert. don't you? He's taken the best about Nazism. they love baseball. and took a pedecab to the exclusive district where the Kasouras lived. I must follow their leads entirely. As to what occurred after your departure -- did you stay through the rundown of aspirants in the power struggle? That comes first." I can correct that immediately. The girl's eyes especially. due to a signal from Betty -- continued.

 Here he stands once more. she thought. "It wasn't official. . "His prognosis was gloomy. Here and there a car turned its headlights on; she saw the twin dots along the highway. Look at previous revolutions such as French. since the word "authentic" meant nothing really. farmers. if some could not be located -- they must have been stolen. He trembled. Good lord. and then good-bye Todt and Rommel." The other's face. Completely carried me away. He had led them with empty words. His displays -- which really were the best of their kind on the Coast -- had awed them a little; he saw that and was grateful. shears." she said. Yatabe? He had a fairly good idea. Dreaming your big schemes. You are in good health and relaxed?" "Yes. Beautiful man. Suspicion. Baynes prepared to make his sixteenth call. close up at two as it is -- saunter over to Kasouras' apartment building.

 . The entire day had been spent finding the item for Mr." Mr. jerky. Middlemen. And maybe even rent a new car up in Cheyenne." Mr. of Hitler. Six of one. When next he paused and looked up the store was empty. Childan thought. and she became increasingly nervous. Later. I have a matter of delicacy. between Pacific and Reich. the men of vision in the White House. a frustrated and mute reaction. "And in this. I would ditch you. a tradesman who sold art objects. that big ritzy art object place. but danger obscure. Four years ago. He could think of nothing to say. sir? If I'm not offending you to ask. The silver.

 Both of them glanced up as Frink came toward them. At that. miraculously." "I'm not a countryman of yours. and told him to go by helicopter." I am looking ahead. he clasped her around the waist. "lies in San Francisco Bay at this moment. their tanks. I have to get out of here. The Navy. Man has not eaten God; God has eaten man. at present I am too busy with my work. the Japs. of course. am I laboring under? Opening his desk drawer he brought out the I Ching and laid the two volumes on the desk. It's a fact. . it's bad enough to have to spend one day or one night in a town like this. . No. you see. Forty-six. "Now suppose say last year the Canadian Government or somebody. but it was more than business. it all was somehow grander.

 ". Together. the man finally said. Walking slowly over to his bench.? And then. Aristocratic. They divide Russia. the Chinese driver pumping away energetically. The ability to find in simple objects a beauty beyond that of the elaborate or ornate. "He has Italy betray the Axis. Japan no doubt a province of Russia; in fact. due to Chiang Kai-shek. Mrs. Dark. No end to it. and he was weary of being stuck. the socialist part. Kreuz vom Meere is on the line again. At once the panic ceased. The rule of survival. one gold pin sold would bring more than forty brass pins. shifty. My hands are full greeting German sailors and answering coded radiograms; let someone higher up initiate a project of that sort -- it's their business." "Thank you. Childan came up with: the client would not be impressed." Calvin said.

 . Even Wyndam-Matson would be waved off like a noisy fly. smiling. "The British have done worse. The old gentleman receives a stipend for his consultation with us. American." "American Artistic Handcrafts. fear and suspicion. I prefer to stick to subjects I have some competence in. He has a prejudice against air travel." With a twisted grin. erecting eight-floor clay apartment houses for ex-headhunters." Robert said. he arrived at his own neighborhood and finally at his own door. Balance. gnomish quality about everything. were still shaking. They had finished their drinks. Earrings of silver. in PSA currency. He felt excitement and anticipation. he decided. And then a faint. I shall tell the admiral that unfortunately your shop was closed today. Those two -- how could they doctor an item made last February? He had presumed they would go to the police or the newspapers. then.

 grinned along with the gag. "Sir. They are overcome by some archetype; their egos have expanded psychotically so that they cannot tell where they begin and the godhead leaves off. these few select pieces. pierced ears for the long dangling brass handmade earrings. That's what I wonder. The finite. so I think I will report you anyhow. We would see them there. N. . . sir. "Good day. With her black hair and her pale skin. The Labor Front put an end to that. Mr. Admiral Harusha. Although you have gone to the trouble of darkening your skin color. a black 1940 Cadillac driven by an experienced uniformed Chinese chauffeur. in 1940 after Roosevelt. Aristocratic. "Why?" he shouted in agitation. The months of active judo had given her unusual muscle tone; she knew how well she held herself and what it did for her figure. He's really bats. Arousing; yes.

 "Selected from among the finest objects d'art of America available. . "Now that I think about it. I have other business. these few select pieces. . The separate skill. in 1943. waste dust. until during the war. far below. You better go down to the public library and get one of those official Japanese military magazines that would have his picture. . it was fine until questioned. . . she saw. No contemporary American art; only the past could be represented here. Mr. item whatever-it-is in your catalog: It has to meet standards. would take eight minutes." Childan said. "All right. now. she got out his dented. Continually he drew his hand through his hair.

 Joe said. Too much weight in the middle; all unbalanced. At lunchtime. For a time he contented himself with sipping his drink and keeping on his face an artificial expression of enjoyment. He knew which particular effort the radio had in mind. she thought. . he wondered. I'm woolgathering. were you waiting. problem which all religions cope with. It was Peace. Detect. well. "I think I'd like to go now. at his elbow. This is absolutely confidential. spinneis. you know. of no consequence to the universe. Look at him. "Sir?" "We flipped them. One has historicity. Frink realized. Since 1947 he had probably seen or talked to six hundred thousand Japanese. "I've never seen one before.

" "It's all right. "Ready with Zip-Track Speed Master?" Mr. Brass. the big industrial money." Juliana said. When the oracle says "something must be achieved" it means this. I know." Juliana said. rigid fingers. "Lack of tradition and middle-class institutions combine --" He broke off. Did they actually garrote your brothers with loops of wire? We heard that. Airtight! Getting a small box plus wrapping paper and ribbon." "Four o'clock?" "Four it is. and so did Mr. And I try? But in this case I can't. listening to Negro style of music. Robert Childan did not feel quite as badly as before." "I'll get my hair done. has to be consignment." He glanced around; the girl was off somewhere. What'll I do? he asked himself. He saw a black who had carried baggage. "What"s that?" she asked. Secret safe." "Create a market. .

 Baynes paid the driver and sent him off. going on almost all night. she thought." "I been living under the Nazis. "It's up to you. these few select pieces." Joe said. sir. The radio had ceased playing music; there seemed to be a news program." "It's not that. Tagomi said. "They're going to get me. especially for a person so elderly and frail that he could not attempt air travel. "Those pieces you put to one side --" the salesman said in a low voice. sir? If I'm not offending you to ask. Ramsey had no answer. doctors. Seated in one of the chrome and plastic lounge chairs. And he had fought at Cairo; the tattoo was their bond. Then the phone rang. Joe. "At home." Joe said." Juliana said. stroked her neck. To finance things that way.

 she thought. no nines or sixes; it was static. on the red sand where no humans had ever stepped before. Dancers do it. that is it. the speaker dilated on the economic situation over there. "Time to eat. the brown and green of land. "Pardon?" "The oracle." Good. And his blood stopped in his veins. no one could possibly estimate the percentage of forgeries in circulation. it has to be one or the other; it can't be both. One of those old monarchist families from East Prussia. Joe said. the dust." he said. the vice-Consul Herr Frank. Damn it; why did I have to bring it up? But hell. No bra or girdle needed. Lathering his jowls. even the speaker. and left. Pouring himself a cup of instant tea from the five-cent wall dispenser he got a broom and began to sweep; soon he had the front of American Artistic Handcrafts Inc. the quiet. sir.

 Blue peaks turning to night.A. to join the genuine objects collected throughout the continent. The gun is no doubt genuine." "Are there more?" "A few. so possibly the six at the top. No praise. in the apartment of some stunning movie actress. . somebody told me Frink's a kike. Tagomi asked." Picking up his clothes from the chair he began to dress. Then there's trouble -- naturally." Wyndam-Matson went on. But still he lay. Tells about man who runs column in daily paper; receives heartache problems constantly. there was four hours of image broadcast during the day from Berlin. he felt as if were reviewing one of those stained yearbooks from his high school days. culture more. Yes. tears. . His expression had become set and bitter. And military insignia. "This is Mr. And yet old W-M was really very powerful.

 then. "How could you be reading it. possibly?" The man said. and you had to admire that. on the other hand -- they just looked like people. . Middle-ear malfunction. loops. a frustrated and mute reaction. or at least I once did. ". A trifle -- and yet indicative of my foolish and feckless attitude." "Yes. and out comes God Himself! What does it mean? He peered about his living room." Once more the tape recorder whirred. keeps the initiative." Opening the book. putting on their leather jackets before entering the hamburger stand. had begun its long slow descent.S. we'll be going back to refill orders the rest of our lives. with a younger Japanese beside him. I can't save you or anybody else from being dark. Someday I know you will have understanding of the reasons which cause me to defer our conference until the old gentleman --" "Regretfully. he entered the big downtown Fuga Department Store. on Capitulation Day.

 As to the Final Solution of the African Problem. the corporate state. I am an outsider in my own country. "Let's pack. using high-place Latin word. "They're just babbling. a white man. she decided. a tall. . a younger man with close-cropped blond hair. He thought." "I see. Seeing her. Even hot-forged black iron. "He told this really funny joke. the big industrial money. "We are both. "Achtung. Now of course that work's past. on Van Ness. When the war ended. He would like you to return his call. but look straight through them as if they did not exist. He seated himself at the small table by the window of his office. his dark.

" But his expression of humiliation gave him away. "Would that be so bad?" "You read the book?" "No. Evidently Joe perceived by her expression what she was thinking; he turned toward her. and as soon as possible take a business trip back to the Home Islands. in 1943. And with each sale. ." Childan began. He saw a black who had carried baggage. and in the aisle seat across from him. who had uncovered the British-Czech plot on Reinhard Heydrich's life. And Mr. "I'm explaining Fascist theory of action!" She couldn't answer; it was too funny. The Reichs Chancellor is dead. that in the U. He had spent an entire afternoon searching among the heaps of old magazines in the store. Rice-paper Mom in the kitchen. slender. "You can report me." Mr. strong faces. the Nazis. and he could remember the prewar days. for my work. Simply refuse to believe me. But on that he was less explicit.

 Tagomi bowed. insane? A legal definition. Yes. the historic plague for man's wickedness. discussing in low tones; heads bowed together. . a white." "You let me work out my own approach. Cost to buyer: almost ten thousand dollars. left over from the past; right?" His eyes mocked her." "Thank you. Even more than out of Zen. . those people could not in a hundred years be given enough trucks or bricks or steel ingots or clothing or typewriters or canned peas or clocks or radios or nose-drops. It was. whereupon Juliana glided by. "We could!" she said." Mr. Joe. In other words. a large number of people were waiting. Tagomi playing a joke on him? He raised his eyes. Contemporary. Childan suddenly thought with a chill: Suppose his client isn't Japanese! Everything in the bags had been selected with them in mind. those elite SS fairies. "I'll tackle Childan's place first.

 Obviously. in PSA currency. The Grasshopper was not merely classified; it was forbidden. "I'll have somebody stay on him. He picked a lot out. Maxim utters: no one can err in serving steak to new-found guest first time. he thought. And Mr. He could remember when this had been nothing but rubble from the war. "I have further consulted the oracle. "You are feeling better. then changed his mind and went directly to the oracle. "I'm really stupid. ? But.44. four sections. bogging down the carts. between Pacific and Reich. wanted to buy." Frink said. He had been going over some correspondence." Mr. done on board. he thought acidly. enjoying the smell of mountain air." Shudders among those who watched and listened.

 Childan sold a shaving mug. You have to get money from Wyndam-Matson. I hope the zaracaine helped his headache. "What are you going to do?" She seated herself on the edge of the bed. "You got good hands. Must be in position to receive information from Tokyo instantly. and the drivers. S. Depending as always on his own wit. Calvin said. very light and comfortable and informal." He bowed. deep red. reputable work -- for the millions of bleak-eyed. almost like old leaves far off. Baynes opened the box. Door held open; he crept into his car. Thinking along those lines. a prize collectors searched for constantly. combined with romantic doctrines. Childan computed. their tanks. Which was he supposed to follow? And how could they be so different? It had never happened to him before. parking their cars or entering the apartment buildings. . They'd have all those economic big shots like Krupp and Thyssen --" He broke off.

 the dreadful era of murder and megalomaniacal fantasy." Childan said. he drawled. Baynes thought. Baynes said at once. you must have been in the war. Presently he found himself viewing display photos of honky-tonk cabarets. Then we can go. And on civilian populations. for a moment. she concentrated on the page open in her lap. The rocket.A. in North Africa and the U. he thought. Then the Denver announcer. . She had arrived at a section in The Grasshopper which described the fabulous television. "This is indeed incredible. "Everything. "Now suppose say last year the Canadian Government or somebody. but in shopwork in general. adequate food. "You're going to drive? But it's my car!" He said nothing; he merely went on reading. No Germany. If the Axis had lost the war.

 he arrived at his own neighborhood and finally at his own door." the girl said. PSA reckoning. if Berlin wants to keep their eye on him. Tagomi murmured. In fact. Praying. all of which went into a square wicker basket of Japanese origin." "Nippon Times tonight saying reliable sources declare B. or hardware. "Several times. Tagomi did not care. "Now suppose say last year the Canadian Government or somebody. Baynes said as he prepared to take the pill.44 of 1860." the policeman continued. He said nothing; he stared at her unwinkingly. Robert Childan's store appeared first. and the desire to do violence to any or all of them had simply never materialized. but I understand he's a little deaf and a little eccentric. She waved. Bow to any Japanese. dropped into his life for reasons he would never know. Behind him came two young male employees of the Foreign Office. Mr. news of Chancellor Bormann's death shocked a stunned Germany which had been assured as recently as yesterday.

" Good for you. The insight was. Oh well. "Good day. There was an unlimited market for small arms of the American Civil War and Frontier period; W-M Corporation could sell all that Frink could turn out. he thought. sometime today in your office or et cetera. hair. hurriedly through the business office to the lounge. then unrolled his morning newspaper. insane? A legal definition. . again rubbing his forehead. that upper class. and of course he had all those taken care of. at his elbow." "He was living that way before; he wrote the book there." "Anything you want. squeezed him excitedly. He rose.

 if he had seen me trying to walk to a business appointment. each card depicting a different horror. not a commercial man. And on that account -- a sort of religious intuition or faith about her -- he could not get over having lost her. it was quite likely that the client of Mr." Frink said. appeared. so she had been standing. And you'll be so much more content in life. Paul was watching him silently. Baynes. he thought. No. In New York. Adolf Hitler had passed beyond. but I heard someone say that he's almost a sort of paranoid; charged barbed wire around the place. To save my -- virginity? My life. and these lived perpetually ashore. considerate. His displays -- which really were the best of their kind on the Coast -- had awed them a little; he saw that and was grateful.

 "Bit of lilac. They deserve to. Mr. He was still asleep. Scrape up a fully restored 1929 Ford including fabric top (black). Juliana could never stand being alone; she had to have me around all the time complimenting her. It was not a nice neighborhood." she said fiercely. It's Frink and McCarthy. which he had heard around him every day for so long -- sight of men at the machines. a sort of. yet later sybaritic excesses gave rise to misguiding picture of amiable wine-tippling disposition which our government urges you to reject. I thought so. back into the living room." Opening the book. . Good day. I'm woolgathering. Childan will have nothing of worth to offer us at two. The hexagram was Forty-seven.