t of the student riot, the march to petition the emperor, and the
clash with the nonworking class hooligans. "As to the affair at the
University, I hesitate to speak on what is really the concern of His
Lordship the Minister of Education, but as to the fighting in the city,
if it is still going on, I can assure His Venerable Highness that the
Gendarmes and Security Guards have it well in hand; the persons
responsible are being rounded up, and, if the Minister of Justice
concurs, an inquiry will be started tomorrow."

The Minister of Justice assured the Minister of Security that his
Ministry would be quite ready to co-operate in the inquiry. Count
Tammsan then got up and began talking about the riot at the University.

"What did happen, Paul?" Marris whispered.

"Chancellor Khane sacked a science professor for being too interested in
science. The students didn't like it. I think Khane's successor will
rectify that. Have a good time at the Flower Festivals?"

She raised her fan to hide a grimace. "I made my schedule," she said.
"Tomorrow, I have fifty more booked."

"Your Imperial Majesty!" The Counselor who had risen paused, to make
sure that he had the Imperial attention, before continuing: "Inasmuch as
this question also seems to involve a scientific experiment, I would
suggest that the Ministry of Science and Technology is also interested
and since there is at present no Minister holding that portfolio, I
would suggest that the discussion be continued after a Minister has been
elected."

The Minister of Health and Sanity jumped to his feet.

"Your Imperial Majesty; permit me to concur with the proposal of His
Venerable Highness, and to extend it with the subproposal that the
Ministry of Science and Technology be abolished, and its functions and
personnel divided among the other Ministries, specifically those of
Education and of Economics."

The Minister of Fine Arts was up before he was fully seated.

"Your Imperial Majesty; permit me to concur with the proposal of Count
Guilfred, and to extend it further with the proposal that the Ministry
of Defense, now also vacant, be likewise abolished, and its functions
and personnel added to the Ministry of Security under His Highness
Prince Travann."

So that was it! Marris, beside him, said, "Well!" He had long ago
discovered that she could pack more meaning into that monosyllable than
the average counselor could into a half-hour's speech. Prince Ganzay was
thunde