weeds had disappeared into a single vast crater of earth." Mr. At the other counter.

A
A. That a new Reichs Chancellor will be chosen by the Partei this autumn. The Sinking of the Panay. the Horst Wessel Lied. But no jewelry supplies. "I have it. Said to have instigated most if not all repressive measures dealing with conquered peoples. I no doubt could. Good grief. mein Herr?" "Plastics. went to hang up his coat in the rear." His mind refused to think. Seated in one of the chrome and plastic lounge chairs. and departed." "I like Verdi and Puccini. he thought as he hung up the phone. They'd put in their new business. Your recommendation. the conference with Mr. Ist dies vielleicht der Ort wo man das Konzentrationslager bilden kann? Das Wetter ist so schon. worse. not invited in a business context. had to do with an aspect of Mr. until evidently driven mad by pain and has delusion that he is J. remained fixed on him; they were thanking him for having things like these for them to see. it was good work. And the next you know." Reiss said.

. ? But. "Shall we make arrangements?" Childan said. Studying his limited. So much to ask the sages. prayed for the flight to end." McCarthy said.A. Still. And from whence would come the crack of thunder which would rouse the giant? Chiang had known that. "I have the conclusion. Ramsey said. . saw that he was off the phone. And keep a record of the exact date and moment it was sent. And the ink. In spite of himself he was upset. "Ah so. Possibly most hated man in Reich territory. white shirt. that my nation lost -- there's still no common ground. and heated." he said."As Frank Frink watched his ex-employer waddle down the corridor and into the main work area of W-M Corporation he thought to himself." Still a little scared of you. four sections. crushing life back into the granite and methane; the wheel turns for all life. "It grieves me.

And then he recalled that there was copy of the I Ching in the lounge of the business office of W-M Corporation." She dialed." McCarthy said. wheezing. Through the glass wall he could watch ships entering. his legs folded beneath him." he said. the market would collapse even for the authentic pieces. . a yin line. What is this five-thousand-year-old book? The Mickey Mouse watch. had begun its long slow descent. assured look. patriotic youth and what not -- has been an economic catastrophe. "I want to check in at my hotel. Since he had never been able to make out Wyndam-Matson's relationship to the pinocs -- the puppet white government at Sacramento -- he could not fathom his ex-employer's power to sway the real authorities. . And who is Mama for them? she wondered. he still never saw her as anything but a direct. . Did Lotze actually mean what he said? Was it a truly spontaneous remark? "I hope we will see one another later on in San Francisco." "Luck. "Tell them to calm down and send us the regular papers." Robert Childan said. I wish I had never let him come with me. And we thought it was finished then. anyhow. during his childhood.

But now. . . will be at work. issuing from the two-inch speaker. He was simply to wait until he had managed to make connections with the Japanese military representative; he was to confer with the Japanese. and the front door opened. Maybe you can fix Frank here up. "I'm sorry. The Reichs Chancellor is dead. . The Japanese had blinked uncomprehendingly. took a deposit on an afghan. Death instead by. Red mustache. "He undoubtedly uses a cover name. walking beside Lotze. he turned on the radio. My driver. Then. she thought. And there was another notion circulating and growing in the back of Robert Childan's mind. Britain and France and U. Baynes nodded." He paused. . His chin. Childan had not been the dealer in the rare and desirable which he was now; he had operated a small rather dimly lighted secondhand bookshop on Geary.

is that Baldur von Schirach. Then let him give gift to her; no suspicion. Tagomi said. How to kill. Baynes said. Rice-paper Mom in the kitchen. a little bit too tight. And yet it had not eased his heart. Why do you want to stay. Baynes and the elderly individual from the Home Islands would begin soon. The LJC was pinoc run. And then he thought about Africa. inasmuch as it had been he. That's a quote from the Bible. put in wiring. would no doubt attempt to converse with him in Swedish the entire way. In its entirety. Japanese thirteen-string harp. At that. Childan signed the paper. Evidently she had left San Francisco." Mr. It was not within his power. Left it back there. Africa. etc. too. Baynes got out his wallet.

They could get almost any price on the retail market for a really well-designed and executed gold pin. But as to the rest -- we can just begin. It had done what needed to be done. into which he blew now and then as he smiled up at Mr. very lovely view." "But I know I'm right. So easy. because it is hard. Or is that bad? Sign of subconscious disapproval? He stirred. The sober and responsible elements will be defeated in the present clash." Lingering. He shrugged. Childan had been anxiously watching the mail." He looked hopefully at Robert. Frink realized. and ten or eleven little pickaninnies calling you daddy. winnowed. and mistresses. "This is Mr. like mine now as I put these plates and silver in the sink." Under British rule. and she still did not know quite why. China teaches us rightly to honor the old. Or rather his ex-wife. On their list. pick up and examine. Childan can be sold. very clear.

How many times he had asked about Juliana. If the SD had intercepted him or if the Tokyo Government has recalled him -- they would know that." He became silent." Flopping in a chair in the corner of the room he lay back. But we watch Germany; we see what can be done where whites have conquered. Oh well. the beginning. he thought. maybe for the first time in our lives. as Childan fished out a large pendant and then ceased. "A substitute. It had done what needed to be done. the other times." "Why naturally?" "Human nature. and we have to build. "in a month or so. I'm not a German. Mr. What do you want? Egg in your beer?" Through the cool night fog of San Francisco. "Yes. "They always were the best. then. Europe and Asia. "Perhaps they are driven by some desperate subconscious archetype. like mine now as I put these plates and silver in the sink. Had audience in palm of hand. It's popular in the Home Islands. The din was terrific.

He was not a mere police bureaucrat. listen: framed signed picture of Jean Harlow. have a daughter named Martha. "Reiss here. "What do you believe? What is it you want? You defend those monsters. . leaving the salesman to gather up his remaining stuff. Heart pounding. Out onto the dark evening sidewalk. Maybe I can get some stuff on consignment. and they spout on forever." Good. sir. Nobusuke Tagomi sat consulting the divine Fifth Book of Confucian wisdom. At three o'clock the University called. Anyhow. Was he absolutely properly dressed to enter the Nippon Times Building? Possibly he would faint in the high-speed elevator. Now a gavotte perform sedately. Communists sneaked in Pan-Slavic Peter the Great empire ambitions along with it. to watch those comedy shows. "Dinner almost ready. . But Mr. Listen --" He jabbed his finger at her. Perhaps go slower; take gift to him. well. We stood." the girl said.

If he doesn't he's really nuts. That's why it's always worth trying. he thought excitedly; one more yin line and I've got Hexagram Eleven. shot of vitamins. . She shook herself. . a cup of lukewarm tea beside him. Time? The clock on the dresser. my Uncle Carlo for example." Mr. And superb jewelers' tools. that crazy Seyss-Inquart carrying out Rosenberg's schemes. . I wish it was for me. "Can't I watch?" she asked. "Okay. beyond doubt. It's the best industrial lacquer available. "We must all have faith in something. Here I am. They deserve to. Tagomi will recognize him the moment he meets him. Quite striking design. and now this. Slender. and now they'll blacklist me; my skill is no use -- I have no trade. and he passed inside.

"As did their miracle weapons V-one and V-two and their jet fighters in the war. and reached into his breast pocket. Stable floor. "Yes. "Perhaps they are driven by some desperate subconscious archetype. or at least I once did. he meets with response. on Market Street. "Heil Hitler. His secretary brought the envelope to him. sir. Childan's heart sank. Childan reflected. This is the moment to consult the oracle." Childan said. "We don't know it. Average taste really deplorable. and today he was gone only twenty minutes. "All the other truck drivers I've talked to never made so --" "You say I'm a truck driver?" Joe broke in. and eyes. Morell who had dosed Hitler with a patent medicine called Dr. turning on their stools. dispensing with so-called necessary illusions such as belief in God. . and mistresses." "Listen. But if he failed successfully to plead there. Man faces the darkening shadows of his life.

his name was. That way they can make use of German surgical techniques they can't get at home. Fuhrerprinzip - Principle of Leadership. eat. right after the collapse of Russia. Freiherr Hugo Reiss made a notation on his pad. I wish I was there. It's a reproduction cast from plastic molds except for the walnut. Tiny ornamented art object.Joy comes softly. The smart black yinnish eyes. Striped pants: representative from Foreign Office. "This is most authentic of dying old U. so she had been standing. she decided. And yet. "And it doesn't say so here. and it was their destiny to assume dominance in the Pacific. she thought.S. And -- so ascetic. Gott. He stood in front of the mirror on the office wall. Paul once more seated himself. Frink noted. I don't think we'd have anything on him here." Juliana said. If you will give me your name I will have a firm brochure mailed to you.

Where? How? What? A phone call. either. is that Baldur von Schirach. A Swede would say that to Lotze. you can see my position. Too late now. listing the items. You can't tell which is which. "Or so that they mean nothing. However -- it is interesting. in New York. When next he paused and looked up the store was empty. But above and beyond everything else. He ate readily. . had a big article called: TELEVISION IN EUROPE: GLIMPSE OF TOMORROW. inasmuch as he is toobrusque and pays too little attention to form. he thought. . But the line; it was for us all. "Briefly. That was. maybe even visit. "Try it. and he was coming to San Francisco for a vacation in any case. Sir. even if he had to stand waiting an hour. .

who knows. Many best sellers are terrible trash. "What's bothering you?" Ed McCarthy said as they entered a hardware store that dealt on a wholesale basis. as Childan fished out a large pendant and then ceased. They had arrived at the elevator. A spaceport? The Nipponese have no spacecraft." Paul said. Years ago he had met Bruno briefly at a Partei gathering. tall. two weeks of official mourning were declared. ". Baynes started." Joe said. Wailing. but he felt as if he were falling into some distant sea. . "I'm parking. Always downcast. he had the doorman call a pedecab for him. Adapt. A yang line and hence Hexagram Twenty-six. relations between Japanese and yanks. He stammered. They expected miracles. In this case. into which now the blond-haired blue-eyed Nordic races have after aeons plunged in their --" He stopped. tiny and metallic. "Let me finish this meal you fixed for me.

on that occasion. to what for an instant had seemed near world domination? Karl knew. They claim there's a Jew running around the streets of San Francisco. They understood. I want you to. the trivial worry. Why? We're blind moles. "All he could do is send us away. . It could not be thought in English. Baynes said. Reiss reflected. probably it was still possible to obtain the ancient. and at a distance. along with money-making judo. It makes living a funny joke with nobody around to laugh. the shooting galleries. He wandered about the lobby. the Japanese higher-ups. I ought to be able to tell him the truth. Tagomi said. It impressed me. Yet. More pressure should have been put on the Japs. At the far end of the field. I can copy accurately as hell. regardless of race; he was a builder. It's stirred up a lot of talk.

Recall order of world. consulting a clipboard of papers which he had taken from a briefcase on the couch. He took it from her. This fellow evidently was involved. Fifteen years' experience. But will return. When I recall the bold deeds perpetrated by Herr Bormann in securing the salvation of the German people from her enemies both at home and abroad. The man wore a slightly less-than-fashionable suit and carried a large wicker hamper. Baynes realized." the girl said. I am afraid. "Dead donkey. to hear." "My daughter. with the Reich. Baynes would be satisfied by whatever gift the ranking Trade Mission grafted to him through the good offices of Mr. no matter what may transpire. a Major Ito Humo. But -- McCarthy had gone off. going on their separate businesses." Reiss realized that his secretary had entered the office. one question or another? Here came the hexagram. He came to the proper door along the carpeted hall. "I hear it on many lips. in shacks under the wharves. sir. Negroid. Not the military.

When Frink had quit. "I"m busy. He had no lines to read. The old aboriginal myth; the truth. moved closer. Baynes and the elderly individual from the Home Islands would begin soon. Tagomi walked down the steps to the path. to the eerie song that expounded the doctrine. I would ditch you." Mr. Smart. He was not a mere police bureaucrat. On the card. their subspiritual aspirations which must be. after a moment. rubbing his chin. 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. patriotic youth and what not -- has been an economic catastrophe. He slowed. Chairs setup. He could regard it that way. Nazi Party dramatic spectacles at Madison Square Garden." Reiss said." He shut the bathroom door; the racket of water shut out any further words. he looked ill-at-ease. Got three kids there." "I hope we have fun in Denver. the corporate state.

. Insist that he pursue matter back to source. Like everybody else? The little empire in the Middle East. The salesman stood silently. A new question. "How would you like to take a trip?" Her pulse quickened. He ran on. "For about two thousand bucks you could set up a little basement or garage shop. snoozing in the cab. I'm sorry." Pferdehuf said. "Here am I aboard iron horse. about like our East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere." she said. . commanding voice. What hijackers? she wondered. a cigarette stuck to his lower lip; he was a good driver. To the business. the Western thought. rule by the rich." Childan said. The car radio played mushy beer-garden folk music." He heard his voice sound out firm. Empty propaganda. there was a good deal of money in the East." Meeting the clerk's gaze he said. rocks.

"What is that enormous structure below?" Lotze asked. cars and buses. nodding. even. You're like a little animal." McCarthy said. "Had you wished American traditional ethnic art objects as a gift?" Childan asked. Hospital. The man paused and said. "All right. even if he has to buy her the clothes himself. he listened to the midday news on the radio. she can talk to anybody on earth. "Tagomi. From his hotel room he had called the Trade Mission every day at noon to ask if the old gentleman had put in an appearance. with a little silver ornamentation. returned to the living room and began making the bed; her hands flew. wearing the natty U. Considered sole authentic intellectual of the Partei. the formal parliament of the Third Reich." Frink thought. insane? A legal definition. Childan answered it. Childan made out the tag." Robert continued. You're coming along. grumpy Germans walking around on Mars. it all was somehow grander.

Fellow's obviously not experienced." referred to Pinafore." Betty said. being cheap. "Listen; I rode that rig not to drive but keep off hijackers. The silence reigned heavily. smoking a Philippine cigar. sat a man he did not know. ruled by their testicles. he thought. Real. as for instance consuming with gusto baked potato served with sour cream and chives. "You know. "I got the Italian genius for earthworks; OT gave me a high rating. living out his life of senile paresis. if you want them. he had a grim. I don't know. Grinning. as soon as the first SS car took off from Prinzalbrechtstrasse. am I laboring under? Opening his desk drawer he brought out the I Ching and laid the two volumes on the desk. so he finally died. his dark. For thousands of maybe disloyal Chinese. I regret. Mr. Tagomi said. "There are twelve officers in all.

G. "Kempeitai. Person already reported in area. could be seen moving about. waiting. Airtight! Getting a small box plus wrapping paper and ribbon. as he ascended the stairs to the Kasouras' apartment. "We don't know it. Robert Childan did not have time to give the paper thorough attention. he went to pick it up. were you waiting. Look how he played on my sentiments. ." "Slim your hips the Zen way. Preface One. Kasoura asked. stoic honesty of the Trade Missions. and the front door opened. Now to practice. The girl who need not fear marauding homeless from the desert." Lingering. "in a month or so. dug at his scalp. He came to the proper door along the carpeted hall. That isn't it. Through the window to his right he could see." He had been about eight years old. I want you to.

"Right nice day. This is absolutely confidential. He is almost eighty. he thought. Each of us dropped a card so that it flipped in the air. But if we succeed. but we know there's a regular industry turning out these fakes. his elbow out the window. felt her hands slide along his damp. almost was an ominous word to begin to hear. they killed off most of the entertainment field. And he'll keep trying. Can one take an attitude like this? You are a neutral. Roosevelt and the World's Fair; the former better world." Childan said. Tagomi put his cup down on the table and rose to his feet." The heavy Bavarian accents of the local SD chief. what then? Would they fill their bellies. "Middle Tokugawa Period. No doubt the SD has looked into it by now. "Looks like a quiet half hour. he carefully scratched the notation on his pad out of existence. Those fellows certainly looked happy. . If all business days were like this." Joe said. traffic noises. Mr.

"Selected from among the finest objects d'art of America available. Baynes. for instance. Ice cream. Baynes' face for his reaction. finally." she said. he cried out. choice will be made. A pin stuck through one's shirt front.44 was a fake. polishing cloths. I was too rough for her. "It was a dreadful thing. Childan. we might see our way clear to buy some outright. And yet now and then he let himself steal a glance at her. designs which to some extent the molten metals had taken on their own. Fear. you know. virtually harsh. I not having had opportunity to have my lunch. put his fingers under her shirt and pressed her shoulders affectionately." Most of the pieces were abstract. And these markets. German or Swede. Causes flesh to crawl even hearing about. I know why.

vises." She faced him calmly. "The man who brought it to me for appraisal --" "Tell him he's been taken. the admiral cannot pay personal visit to your esteemed store. "One in which Germany and Japan lost the war.? And then. I cannot rely on my own judgment regarding American art objects." "I like Verdi and Puccini. But even so. "Porter!" The black trotted toward him. A pause. he had vowed revenge; he had buried his Service weapons ten feet underground. traffic noises. The judgment was for me alone. too. He will have to absorb the loss. ." Rising.S. Be working. purposeless life. probably it was still possible to obtain the ancient. Hitler would have had them bomb London. Face facts. 1945 -- engraved at its top. it maintained another business from which its real profits were derived." the older truck driver said. "to live like that.

this is an imitation. She strolled along the sidewalk. You know the old brownshirt term for people who spin philosophy? Eierkopf. plague. now; this is Protestant land. and it has to be one or the other. and this is it. culture. Yet the situation even in those circumstances was not hopeless. a rather dangerous man. into the Decade of Rebuilding. You remember -- real modern contemporary. "Well . "You've completely lost faith in yourself -- right? Too bad. Salesgirls. what her biology needs. Here he lay. And in his mind whenever he took up the volumes of the oracle. An expert. S. as the couple strolled from his store. "It grieves me. those early happy days of his childhood. Charley appeared; he had her plate. saw that he still held the pill and water.His nose and feet are cut off. relay my questions. Shock! Hexagram Fifty-one! God appears in the sign of the Arousing.

but quite intelligent man. "Let's pack. are quite popular with students. He writes this fantasy. What offerings and libations can I make? And to whom?The handsome young Japanese couple who had visited Robert Childan's store. To begin all over. "Robert. and the parts of Nevada included in the Pacific States of America. ." Childan went on. large. Before you learned to defend yourself." The policeman rolled back his cuff and examined his watch as Robert Childan read the paper. smiling at Robert. Soot-black eyebrows and hair; trace amounts of Spanish blood distributed as pure color. The radio said: "Co-Prosperity Civilization must pause and consider whether in our quest to provide a balanced equity of mutual duties and responsibilities coupled with remunerations. However. had fortified his insight." "Toward end of meal. a fresh vase of marigolds. "You came to get your job back. With her hair held back by a clip or cut short so that her neck and ears could be seen. And military insignia." Both Mr. it was a fact; the Pacific had done nothing toward colonization of the planets. He is not supposed to hear such matters. "Your wife? Connie? Corinne?" Joe. .

all those Prussians; ought to have been gassed. Whichever you prefer." Frink said. In haste. "Abendsen talks like it's big issue as to whether U. and he does not report it to his Pension Board. Maybe that's it. "Joe. . If any of your customers have their own ideas. Herr Reiss reflected. A white man wearing an overcoat. I used to pick Frank's clothes for him; a man can never buy his own clothes. "What is that enormous structure below?" Lotze asked. sent that ceaseless and almost witlessly noble flood of cheap one-dollar (the China Dollar. as Childan fished out a large pendant and then ceased." He started toward the locked filing cabinet. Baynes. "You and I.' He lacks but one. He had found a place and was backing the truck. Eleven-thirty! Good grief. After all. Baynes prepared to make his sixteenth call. "You rely on that thing too much. Mr. It would be wasted on me." "Yes.

" "Where'll we get the money?" Joe said. sir? Please recall; you promised it sometime last week." Robert continued. Also Goebbels. responsible for colonial policies." Miss Ephreikian seated herself. And they could not be out after nightfall; even under Pacific law. "Thank you. rocks. he thought. like a woman who played tennis or (even worse) collected mushrooms in the woods." "You let me work out my own approach. Although you have gone to the trouble of darkening your skin color." Her smooth face. listen to." the fry cook said. I'll give them two thousand." "Eh?" Childan said. it's idealism that makes him that bitter." "Welfare work on a worldwide scale. Very shortly." he said. And from whence would come the crack of thunder which would rouse the giant? Chiang had known that. Wiped out to make a land of -- what? Who knew? Maybe even the master architects in Berlin did not know. whom. Robert Childan lit a Land-O-Smiles and stood rocking back and forth on his heels." he said. How much I have to learn.

" He emerged. Martin Bormann. And he is shrewd; I'll bet he's right in his analysis of me -- I have a neurotic fear of the masculine. Reiss went to his desk and took the receiver. I hope to hell she's not with some older guy. Baynes said. Pretty girl always gets everyone; when he sees what a knockout you are he'll open the door wide." he said. in the book. new tie. She smiled. the national security police which replaced the Gestapo following. The strange thing about Wyndam-Matson is that he does not look like a man who owns a factory. a prize collectors searched for constantly. Heiss. "A dear friend of mine. "Italy goes over to the Allies. rather dark man." Baynes said. What he desires is for gift purposes; to wit: he wishes to present each officer of his ship a valuable historic artifact. he added. that about the sun and the flag. The paper proves its worth. he moved toward the door. Once more the store was empty except for himself and the salesman. The pasture of weeds had disappeared into a single vast crater of earth." Mr. At the other counter.