Consolator Steen knew the answer to this question exactly--he also knew that Joseph Krieg was one of these men. Krieg could have afforded a quadrillion credits, but it would have exhausted his fortune. Steen waited until he was sure that the other man was deep in mental turmoil and then he continued, his voice now softer, less commercial sounding. "And having given you 'the prices,' so to speak, of the lesser treasures, I will now surprise you by saying that the entry ticket to Manhattan Park is free." Joseph Krieg looked at the man intently, a curious fire of hope in his eyes. "Free?" Steen nodded. "And because it is free, it is unobtainable. It is not generally known, Joe, but the only way one can be buried in Manhattan Park is by permission of the Galactic Congress. Only certified heroes are so honored, and they are few and far between. Remember the great bacteriologist Manuel de Artega? It took the Galactic Congress more than fifty years of debate after he died to decide to let him in--but after all, the only claim to fame he had was that he saved a few trillion lives from the Green Plague. He was buried here some thirteen years ago. There has been no one since, and no one in sight." Steen patted the man on the shoulder. "Now, come along, Joe. I want you to take a look at Amundsen Park before you make up your mind. It's not at all cold at the Pole these days--lovely flowers, trees...." "No!" Joseph Krieg cried, standing up. Steen and Braun both rose too. "There must be a way!" The Consolator smiled inwardly. _The fish was responding magnificently. Now to push the bait just a little closer...._ "Now, now, Joe. You mustn't get upset about this. The other Parks are just as fine, I assure you," Steen murmured in consolation. Krieg shook his head. "You can't tell me that sometime or other someone didn't buy his way into Manhattan. It stands to reason...." "Now, Joe. You're taking this much too hard...." "I tell you, I know people. And that's all the Galactic Congress is made up of--people. Tell me the truth, Steen. Has anyone ever bribed his way into this Park?" Steen frowned and turned his head slightly away from the man. _Just a flick or two more of the line...._ * * * * * "I wish you wouldn't ask me questions like that, Joe. When I say that it's impossible, I mean just that. You'll just excite yourself needlessly by listening to foolish rumors...." Krieg pounced on the word jubilantly. "What do you mean, rumors? Then there _has_ been someone who bought his way in! Who was it, Steen? I swear, if you don't tell me, I'll move heaven and earth to find out." Consolator Steen seemed to consider for a moment, then sighed. _Hooked._ "All right, Joe. But believe me, you'll wish you hadn't asked. For what happened to ... to this other person is unattainable to you." "Who was it?" Krieg asked excitedly. "Who was the richest man who ever lived, Joe?" "You mean...."