to the receptionist, and was shown with
due deference into one of the private offices, where he was introduced
to several men, among them the Secretary he was to accompany.

"I have a number of errands to do today, but the first and most
important is laying the cornerstone of our new Embassy building--this
one is merely rented, you may know."

"I am entirely at your disposal, sir," Hanlon saluted crisply, and fell
into step just behind the portly statesman as he left the building.

They rode in an open car with a uniformed chauffeur, the others
following in other cars. As they rode Hanlon probed the statesman's
mind, but found only worry-tension, that he shrewdly guessed had to do
with the coming speech, rather than with any thought of intrigue or
illegal machination.

As they came into the Greek section of the city, their ride took on more
and more the aspects of a parade, as the Simonidean was recognized.

Hanlon opened his mind wide and attempted to analyze the
thought-sensations he received from the crowds. It was one of gaiety and
good nature, and reminded him of the way his boyish mind interpreted the
thoughts of holiday crowds at the circus, Fourth of July celebrations,
picnics, and so on.

From the moment he first entered the Embassy, Hanlon had been probing
with every iota of his ability, hoping he could find some lead to
whatever it was that was bothering the Corps about Simonides, but had
found nothing sinister or menacing, nor could he get any such sensations
from the crowd.

But now he concentrated more on watching the increasingly denser throng
of people, for the car was nearing their destination. The buildings
along here were all bedecked with Simonidean and Greek-Terran flags, and
there was now a continuous cheering from the populace. Abrams was
standing in the back of the car now, smilingly acknowledging their
plaudits by bowing to one side and the other.

Hanlon, sitting stiffly at attention, nevertheless kept his eyes darting
here and there, watching as carefully as he could for any possible
hostile demonstrations or menacing figures.

Arrived at the building site, Abrams was greeted by numerous
dignitaries, and escorted with much pomp to the flag-bedecked stand,
amid greater cheering from the assembled crowd.

The chairman of the occasion stepped to the public-address microphone,
and raised his hands for silence. The band broke off in the middle of a
number, the cheering from the huge thr