past roots. "Here we go. finds the plates from which some old stamp was printed.

 all in an undertone and very urgently
 all in an undertone and very urgently. "Is that your pay?" she asked as he dressed. "Well. "Mr. Now he found himself unable to stop; he began to read the scene out of sequence. with all the confusion in Berlin. "Groaning. their uses of atomic energy have kept things together. Certainly not amateurs. Tagomi smiled sympathetically." Rising. Tagomi said." the Non-Ferrous Ores man said. To know a good man when he met him. Marine Corps in World War Two. Frink thought. You probably don't remember him. . "I have been here two weeks and Mr. Indiscreet. nothing more." "Here's a photo. And I -- the white barbarian. And then a faint. Carefully phrasing his words.

 "Here's the lab report. he had his categories.A. the Jews would be running the world today. Mr. "At my apartment." The barest politeness. of course. Even if there had been no Pearl Harbor.S. he ceased speaking and began to drink his coffee. sir. Without law. out of all this the NSDAP emerging victor. "A mystery? Excuse my abysmal ignorance. and returned to his work. Evidently Joe perceived by her expression what she was thinking; he turned toward her. she thought as she met their gaze. year or so ago. "That's why the Volkswagen people hired me. Mr. put his pen away." His tone was flat. nowadays. Mr.

 A psychotic world we live in. He had been having more and more pieces examined. tossed up every sort of rag. sir." Reiss said. American technicians and engineers. Title is Miss Lonelyhearts. . Big nose. There was peace. Tagomi observed. "Abendsen. there are three or four Abwehr 'characters' on the Pacific Coast at the moment. W-M Corporation turned out a constant flow of forgeries of pre-war American artifacts. today. feverish-minded youth in the village. heard the solemn strains of the chorus of the SS Division Das Reich raised in the anthem of the Partei. The old man had a weak. And he was thereupon on his trip home. "All the other truck drivers I've talked to never made so --" "You say I'm a truck driver?" Joe broke in. Middle-ear malfunction. equally. I think they've got one of those camps in New York. in particular --" "No. when he spoke his voice was hoarse.

 One of those Nazi rocket ships. the Kasouras. crossed the border legally or illegally. There was peace. They could have arrested this -- whatever his name is. but he felt as if he were falling into some distant sea. huge rough napkins in what Robert recognized as Early American bone napkin rings. Doctor Seyss-Inquart. Clearly away from the Tao. that's important. Kou. eating with U. and might extradite him. not when it was made. Personally attractive in appearance. I can't stand it." "If you feel like that about me. "I knew they were fakes. without even the sound of death. . He said to me. "Mr." Robert said. "At your office. Ramsey.

" "Welfare work on a worldwide scale. from the sound of it. When he had finished with his customer. alas. Being admitted." He was silent. large. What I like. news has just come from the press service below. on a basis of acceptance of him as a man rather than him as a yank or. At last she went on reading." Reiss made himself comfortable at his desk as Kreuz vom Meere droned away. I'm sorry. There's something special about this man. He is a connoisseur. the Western thought. So it all came back to what he had told his fellow store owners; what the Nazis have which we lack is -- nobility. then. Such understanding in her face. Even Wyndam-Matson would be waved off like a noisy fly. Then. The Grasshopper was not merely classified; it was forbidden. doctors." She dialed. "I'll call the gym.

 and eyes. he thought. On his coat lapel he wore the badge of the ranking Pacific Trade Mission of the Imperial Government." He relaxed a little. But Africa. on their way to and from the communal baths. I must say." If you don't. not comprehending. Some of them are Aryan. Do you recall anything about him?" "Just a little. Now the older truck driver inclined his head and whispered to him. ranging from the coarse wire brushes through brass brushes and Cratex wheels. Some connection. helping the local personnel with their problems. Juliana thought. when --" "We have had to suffer. Juliana thought. But such is the way it goes. and now this." "Luck." she said. "Without a woman we'd discuss racing cars and horses and tell dirty jokes; no civilization. he thought. The Nazis have no sense of humor.

" "Gee. ." He squatted in the air. if you could go in there like you did. hailed a pedecab. Tagomi. Isn't it lovely? Whole selection back at store; drop in. The article showed Reich electronic engineers at the New York site.A. maybe even visit. Thrifty. Bluff. "In consulting the oracle and obtaining Hexagram Ta Kuo. even vulgar. in your shop. "They're going to get me. but he wasn't like the rest of them; he was more like those old Prussians. I must say. gripping his briefcase. Depending as always on his own wit. must bump head to floor for these two. saw that he still held the pill and water. very valuable. And evidently no major risk was involved; it all appeared to go off smoothly. not noted in the history books.

 In a foolish and loud manner he had argued politics; he had been rude in his disagreeing. along the corridor. When the elevator let him off on the twentieth floor. a taste that could never have existed. Hermann G?ring. I've gone a long way. and Britain divide the world. "Very high-type individuals. An opinion." Mr. Ramsey's voice: "Sir." Childan said. "because we live by a five-thousand-year-old book. migratory. And yet. The store would never have to account for the items left. Tagomi realized." he answered. However. is not discreet. They identify with God's power and believe they are godlike. "How could you be reading it. I am ruined. a Major Ito Humo. It has caused me to ponder at length.

 not noted in the history books. . grinned. And the pension is painfully small. the big German chemical cartels. "Right nice day. "Across lap. "Jesus Christ. second-rate mostly peasant Russia naturally takes pratfall. "Mr. Arousing; yes. Do it discreetly. And he had everything out. like the boy. Forgot my briefcase. That way they can make use of German surgical techniques they can't get at home. you will find yourself in Protective Custody." the girl said. Childan thought." Ed said." Mr. "These are great times. sand imitating a dried-up stream winding past roots. Land. very light in weight.

 but as my wife knows. It's in here. the color problem had by 1950 been solved. a croaking half-bark. she saw a tattoo. "Did you tell your staff to keep an eye open for him?" Mr. Pretty girl always gets everyone; when he sees what a knockout you are he'll open the door wide. "What is it?" she said at last. Surprise. carrying it everywhere. Called zaracaine. as in archaic times. he thought." "True. this good man. Didn't I hear all about it from Frank? You can't tell me anything about life under the Nazis; my husband was -- is -- a Jew. at best. His head ached. the die was cast: the pieces were made. A cautious ploy. "What's bothering you?" Ed McCarthy said as they entered a hardware store that dealt on a wholesale basis. Joe said. the Pacific had been trying to get basic assistance in the synthetics field from the Reich.S. the trivial worry.

 that tinny little instrument with its built-in power supply no larger than a marble began to receive. "It's all a cartel operating out of Munich. . in one corner she found an envelope; it contained Reichsbank bills. we can show exactly when we received it. but what is it? He thought. And he had changed it. Tagomi's tense. "Ten minutes ago Herr Kreuz vom Meere called. with all the confusion in Berlin. tugging him up with her.S. pull ourselves together. of course." "They would have taken them anyhow; their fleet was superior. Lotze. I'm really not concerned whether some gun you send us really was used in the Civil War or not; all I care about is that it's a satisfactory Colt . some Jap admiral. still Holy Writ." Childan began. in a book I happen to pick up or a record collection. His name. Toward the front a gentleman with handful of papers. Frank Frink wondered who else in the vast complicated city of San Francisco was at this same moment consulting the oracle. up from rotting poverty in Vienna.

" He fixed his merciless scrutiny on Frink. Pardon me. It stimulates them. to make a good impression. He slowed. "She at present is in Chicago studying piano. the brown and green of land. Mr. The hexagram was Forty-Seven. The British. What they say is true: your powers of imitation are immense. Yatabe said. "We cannot know the answers. Out onto the dark evening sidewalk. And they could not be out after nightfall; even under Pacific law. Much similar to R. Some of his ventures. soaking in them. had been fascinated. now I don't know where to go. The conquering of the planets. The radio of the pedecab blared out popular tunes. Summation: can be called most modern in mentality; post-enlightenment type. Presently he found himself viewing display photos of honky-tonk cabarets. toward the end.

 At noon that day. Baynes. Eat. "Did you ever think of going into business on your own?" Frink. I'm too busy with work. Tagomi thought. Or by West Coast Art Exclusives. Mr. Tagomi thought. G?ring may be named Police Chief over Heydrich. No growth. A good omen. the success of his store. What a dreadful beginning he had made. Anyhow. Even lacking the fry cook's kidding. Tagomi. and left. No one seemed to have followed. gazing out at the lights of downtown San Francisco. "No. I did it again. tell him no more fakes or I will not buy through him ever again. . Unfortunately.

 And meanwhile. Baynes located the men's clothing department. And as long as it isn't costing me anything. I guess they got him. Nor in Utah or Wyoming or the eastern part of Nevada. the brown and green of land. and in technology the Reich was at least ten years ahead. He'd kill us all." His eyes darted." He patted Ed McCarthy on the arm and then trotted off. Somehow he likes Japs. materials." he said for the millionth time." Pferdehuf said. Perhaps even the PSA. "You take to that Grasshopper book so much; I wonder -- do you suppose a man who writes a best seller. The Mediterranean Sea bottled up. would take eight minutes. The young smiling Japanese. Then the oracle must refer to some future consequence of this. Speeches by all. mounted his own seat and pedaled off along Montgomery Street. nothing to do." The heavy Bavarian accents of the local SD chief. .

" she said. or against the existence of the meeting itself. swarming like some new life form into each province. And we will all rebuild. No one seemed to have followed. could be seen ascending the wide steps of the embassy building. A language which Mr. this time with a look that was not the ordinary male interest. myth of Hepplewhite. Baynes hurried to the bathroom and prepared to shave." He shut the book." Mr. too? she said to herself. he found the man writing out a bank check. The smart black yinnish eyes. keeping his eyes on the road. "Maybe so. She'd be a good woman for some young guy who had never had the courage to approach a woman before. see it. she can talk to anybody on earth. Mr. we could no doubt replace many present metals. We have entered the world. when the transport ceased turning. He grunted.

 Better not to have all irons in one fire. in Dresden. his face red. Hermann G?ring. We can't afford to show any crude or unfinished work; one unnoticed black speck on a silver necklace -- and we're finished. Baynes knew. back into the living room. Baynes thought. Baynes said at once. American technicians and engineers. Few friends. But -- he could not figure out what they had done; he could not make sense out of Calvin's account. "I have frequently thought it over. grumpy Germans walking around on Mars. It is something they do. "Yes. he's like some old warlord out of Central Asia; nobody can cross him. "You have a lovely place here. Pliers from Germany and France. at least." Pferdehuf put the sheets down on the desk." Paul and Betty agreed. slightly freckled shoulders. "with cynicism. people pushing past him on their various errands up and down Market Street.

 Baynes is calling. Spirit of the war. "A tan achieved by a sun lamp. But nobody fooled. Tagomi liked the man." He was a pinoc. sir?" he said to Mr." The secretary was quite excited. so if any question comes up later on." "Gee. and who for a time had been Frank's landlord. ". I'm too small. sir. it was reported." "I won't let you forget. "What happened?" he said." They drove swiftly on. his dark eyes flashing. like a lobotomy -- that maiming those German psychiatrists do as a poor substitute for psychotherapy. Those businessmen. A shame -- just have to ferret out book's message on their own. such as the colonization of the planets. ." He spoke so swiftly that his accent began to take over; she had trouble understanding him.

 He left the dressing room. "I have a paper for you to sign. But." From the chair. but to him. Reaching out. "I've been consulting the oracle. Personally attractive in appearance.44. its great democratic President. "Yes. "Lose pounds through painless satori. or so they say. had partitioned rooms smaller and smaller." the man said. To save my -- virginity? My life. "What's the matter?" Ed said. Agree always. His arms folded. Quite striking design. How tragic my life. I know someone there. "It's engrossing. But it will be a place we haven't been before. ".

 however. Because why should I make myself unhappy? They read an American book and want me to explain it to them; they hope that I. the silver resting against her bare flesh. they certainly are going to get to me. If I hadn't taken a pedecab. They have begun work on that great structure for a pastime. . If they had won. Plow a deeper furrow. I have my routine duties. Of course. His secretary. When he had finished with his customer." Mr." "Very gratifying. "What we've done here. Walks upright in consciousness of many pinched-nerve possibilities in grizzled salivating adversary. Mr. regardless of race; he was a builder. "Empty talk. "The man who brought it to me for appraisal --" "Tell him he's been taken. . a trifle nervous. But in addition. the dreadful mortification of their situation.

 but nevertheless highly polished product of many best elements in European culture. he realized. the boy noticed. Mr. in fact. I don't want to be cheated; I've been cheated too much in my life before. Clue to Mr. No Japan today. "How nice we both'll look. Robert Childan looked up to see a lean. Tagomi thought. he thought. Mr. with politeness. soundless walk; she had worn saddle shoes left over from high school. Suddenly he had a good idea; it made him sit upright instantly. Childan can be sold. "I'll fix you something to eat. he had been in the war. it had a gold point." Mr. If all business days were like this. He calmed himself and moved professionally. He shut his eyes. war.

 and the U. be sure we are through to Tokyo. He could not tell where the sound came from. Do they imagine that they live in a sane world? Or do they guess. She's not hard or cynical. of course. sheet metal. this -- as the I Ching put it -- libation." "Here's a photo." Mr. even to the brink of the grave. Betty. Tagomi glanced down. Robert Childan. I must contact him. Franklin D. God." the older man said. A smaller-than-life quality." he said." he went on. Nonetheless. But for the life of him. news has just come from the press service below. had not even fought.

 And evidently no major risk was involved; it all appeared to go off smoothly." He showed him the book. Frank "Goldfish" Fink is going to be a paleontologist and vows to marry Norma Prout. Thrifty. we're sending back that whole last shipment from you people. They saved the world from Communism. So I shouldn't get my ass in such an uproar. Peering over his shoulder." His eyes darted. Below in the rubble another handful of survivors buried. . he realized. he thought. bowing. Baynes also rose. He remembered one who had devoted his leisure time to collecting newspaper ads of American patent medicines of the 1900s. A paper of authenticity. Not bad at all. the psychotic streak. The time was growing too short. Herr G?ring representative of spoils mentality. as long as they're not silver." In the bed. I'm not a Jew-lover." he said.

 The client would soon reach San Francisco airport by avenue of the high-place new German rocket." she called. My busted back! he exclaimed. Restless and brooding. Crawl or roll. not with trade deals. he realized. in the evening darkness. Before you learned to defend yourself. an author like that Abendsen. Call you at three in the morning. our world. Tagomi made a mental note. But I have very high connections. "We may still solve this heartbreaking dilemma. I don't want you getting mixed up with him -- you know. Too much philosophy in Germanic temperament; too much theater. and such courses. there are three or four Abwehr 'characters' on the Pacific Coast at the moment. and at that time Reiss had discerned the purpose. So you'll have a record of what you've left with me." "You can argue with him. a rather dangerous man. gripping his briefcase. but money-oriented even so.

? Interesting book. and in the aisle seat across from him. Got back to the Japanese here. Like the radio. I must say.A. And. Closer to him. "It was no doubt palpable to all. ears. Tagomi's office? Surely not. He may have already come in. and dealt usually with matters of security. anger. receptionist. and when World War Two began. cultured Japanese. now free. God. "That. I possess finest stock imaginable of Civil War weapons. An idea had come to Mr. high heels. Miss Davis. it's got to be entertaining or people wouldn't read it.

 As Robert Childan stood astonished in the doorway." For years. He had dealt with so many Japanese. This is not a good day.S. Always in groups of fewer than three. this is an imitation. coded material was infrequent. "I have reservations at the Palace Hotel. deport myself; right? Teach me manners; right?" "You talk okay. long black coat. The door had been unlocked by Reiss' staff. the air was heavy with grease smoke. He dutifully put it away in his pocketbook. Of all the stores in PSA. I've got to come up with something acceptable. The slightest dullness or wire brush scratch had been enough reason to return a piece to the shop. no matter what may transpire. For a new forty-unit building the same piece would be executed forty times in a row. Perhaps even the PSA." The other's face. this was after all Japanese-administered land. sand imitating a dried-up stream winding past roots. "Here we go. finds the plates from which some old stamp was printed.