connected with a voting-bloc boss called Nutchy the Knife. None of the
students were hurt, and Colonel Handrosan got the procession out of the
district promptly, and then dropped some of his men, who have since been
re-enforced, to deal with the hooligans. That's still going on, and
these riots are like forest fires; you never know when they'll shift and
get out of control. I hope the men I brought won't be needed here.
Really, they're a reserve for the riot work; I won't commit them,
though, until I'm sure the Palace is safe."

He nodded. "Prince Travann, how soon do you estimate that the student
procession will arrive here?" he asked.

"They're coming on foot, Your Majesty. I'd give them an hour, at least."

"Well, Prince Travann, will you have one of your officers see that the
public-address screen in front is ready; I'll want to talk to them when
they arrive. And meanwhile, I'll want to talk to Chancellor Khane,
Professor Dandrik, Professor Faress and Colonel Handrosan, together. And
Count Tammsan, too; Prince Ganzay, will you please screen him and invite
him here immediately?"

"Now, Your Majesty?" At first, the Prime Minister was trying to suppress
a look of incredulity; then he was trying to keep from showing
comprehension. "Yes, Your Majesty; at once." He frowned slightly when he
saw two of the Security Guard officers salute Prince Travann instead of
the emperor before going away. Then he turned and hurried toward the
Octagon Tower.

* * * * *

The officer who had gone to the aircar to use the radio returned and
reported that Colonel Handrosan was bringing the Chancellor and both
professors from the University in his command-car, having anticipated
that they would be wanted. Paul nodded in pleasure.

"You have a good man there, Prince," he said. "Keep an eye on him."

"I know it, Your Majesty. To tell the truth, it was he who organized
this march. Thought they'd be better employed coming here to petition
you than milling around the University getting into further mischief."

The other officer also returned, bringing a portable viewscreen with him
on a contragravity-lifter. By this time, the Bench of Counselors and the
three off-planet guests had become anxious and left the luncheon
pavilion in a body. The Counselors were looking about uneasily,
noticing the black uniformed Security Guards who had left the troop
carrier and were taking position by squads all around the empe