infant prodigies and
juvenile delinquents; and millions upon millions of just plain
ordinary people much like the people of Argentina, or England, or
France or whatever. True enough, among all our two hundred million
there are some mighty prejudiced people, some mighty backward ones,
and some downright foolish ones. But if you think the United States
got to the position she's in today through the efforts of a whole
people who are foolish, then you're obviously pretty far off the beam
yourself."

Paco was looking at him narrowly. "Accepted, friend Hank, and I
apologize. That's quite the most effective outburst I've heard from
you in this week we've known each other. It occurs to me that perhaps
you are other than I first thought."

_Oh, oh._ Hank backtracked. He said, "Good grief, let's drop it."

Paco said, "Well, just to change the subject, gentlemen, there is one
thing above all that I noted here in Leningrad."

"What was that?" Loo said.

"It's the only town I've ever seen where I felt an urge to kiss a
cop," Paco said soulfully. "Did you notice? Half the traffic police in
town are cute little blondes."

Loo rolled over. "A fascinating observation, but personally I am going
to take a nap. Tonight it's the Red Arrow Express to Moscow and rest
might be in order, particularly if the train has square wheels, burns
wood and stops and repairs bridges all along the way, as I'm sure Hank
believes."

Hank reached down, got hold of one of his shoes and heaved it.

"Missed!" Loo grinned.

* * * * *

The Red Arrow Express had round wheels, burned Diesel fuel and made
the trip between Leningrad and Moscow overnight. In one respect, it
was the most unique train ride Hank Kuran had ever had. The track
contained not a single curve from the one city to the other. Its
engineers must have laid the roadbed out with a ruler.

The cars like the rest of public transportation, were as comfortable
as any Hank knew. Traveling second class, as the Progressive Tours
pilgrims did, involved four people in a compartment for the night,
with one exception. At the end of the car was a smaller compartment
containing two bunks only.

The Intourist guide who had shepherded them around Leningrad took them
to the train, saw them all safely aboard, told them another Intourist
employee would pick them up at the station in Moscow.

It was late. Hank was assigned the two-bunk compartment. He put his
glasses on