"You! Dolt! The Princess Praana might have been injured! What are you doing here anyway, so near the grounds? Do you not know it is forbidden?" The Princess Praana! Yes, now Ketrik remembered. Dar Vaajo had a daughter--she had completed her early education at one of Earth's best schools. That was all of ten years ago, but she had been a pretty child even then. "Well! Answer me! Or shall I take you to the Guards for questions?" Ketrik came out of his reverie and looked at this man. A high-servant at the palace, probably, judging from his manner. Ketrik bowed coldly. "I was not aware of the restricted area. I am but newly arrived in Turibek, and have found your city most charming--until now." There was the correct amount of annoyance in his voice, plus a subtle warning. "You wish to see my credentials, sir?" The other's manner changed. For the first time he seemed to notice Ketrik's dignified dress and manner. He hesitated. "I don't suppose that will be necessary, sir. A thousand pardons for speaking so hastily, but our nerves have been on edge, you know, ever since the rumor that some of the _S'Relah_ would attempt to enter the city." "My dear man! I am sure our Emperor's splendid Guard can deal capably with these _S'Relah_! I will bid you good day now; I have yet to visit your charming shops." Ketrik turned haughtily, began his stroll back to the main avenues. He felt the Martian's puzzled gaze upon him, but did not look back. He did not look back until ten minutes later, when he had the eerie sensation of being followed. He spotted the man at once, undoubtedly a Special--tall, cold-eyed, a bit too leisurely of manner. Ketrik smiled grimly, and entered a shop. The man followed. Ketrik came out, and the Special was just the correct distance behind. At the next loading platform Ketrik purchased a ticket, waited until one of the mono-cars dropped down from the single overhead track. He entered the car, walked the length of it and exited on the opposite side. He hurried across an area-way and lost himself in the crowd waiting for the opposite-bound car which just then hove into view. The simple ruse worked. He boarded this car and there was no sign of his pursuer. Dusk was fast coming upon the city when he again made his way to Thurlo's shop. His mind still wrestled with the problem of the electronic wall, and how to get beyond it. He immediately discarded the idea of an aero-copter in the dead of night; there would surely be detector rays. Here was a problem that called for planning, and patience. And something else vaguely bothered him. A vision intruded upon his thoughts, annoying but persistent--the vision of a girl's face, lovely and golden.... V He entered the shop, and was startled to see a Rajec emerge from behind a counter piled high with silks and fineries. The black was tall, elderly, a bit stooped, with a nervous twitch at the side of his face.