*

That was all. True to his promise, Grim Hagen had given them the run of the
city. But there was always one of Hagen's men or some native in uniform to
politely assure them that there was little to see down the off streets. The
main squares were a tourist's paradise. Beautiful buildings--in all colors
and styles, black marble and silver. Tracings of gold. Clocks, bells,
statues, fountains. All the architecture of the world they had left, with
fine selections and matching, with daring improvisations. And everything
new. Odin had to admit that the squares were beautiful. Some day this
conquered race might even owe a debt to Grim Hagen and his crew. But right
now they did not seem to be bubbling over. The natives were polite--too
meek for comfort. Some of the women were beautiful; most of the men were
too slight of build, almost effeminate.

But once Jack Odin and Gunnar managed to stroll down a narrow street
without anyone noticing them. It was the cry of the birds that caused them
to turn aside into even a narrower one. So they came to a little run-down
park that looked old enough to have survived the conquest. Then they saw
the scaffoldings. And there were twelve shapes hanging from ropes and
meat-hooks. As they neared, a flock of fat revolting-looking birds arose
and complained as they fluttered away.

Gunnar and Odin had stood there looking up at the half-dried mummies that
swung slowly about and grimaced at the tiny wind that perplexed them. The
gibbets were spotted with blood and filth. Flies swarmed about them.

"So," Gunnar remarked. "The leopard does not change his spots. Grim Hagen
still gives lessons to these people. And knowing Grim Hagen I would say he
is a rough schoolmaster."

They did not stay long. And a guard opened his mouth in surprise when he
saw them entering the square from the dark, little street.

* * * * *

Today Grim Hagen had invited them to another conference. Gunnar and Odin
dressed carefully. But Gunnar took a last look at harness and sword as he
complained: "He wants something. And Grim Hagen can be mean when he doesn't
get what he wants. We should have started wrecking this world before we
landed. The people would be no worse off. And maybe we could have rid
ourselves of a snake. Ato needs a big drink of tiger milk--"

"Oh, quit complaining, little giant. We still have some bargaining power."

"Yes, our swords. This meeting reminds me of the conf