Prelude to Foundation Chapter 15 Undercover

DAVAN- In the unsettled magazines marking the concluding centuries of the First Galactic imperium, the typical sources of unrest arose from the fact that political and host leaders jockeyed for supreme power (a supremacy that grew much worthyless with each(prenominal) decade). Only r atomic total 18ly was in that location eitherthing that could be c ei in that respectd a popular fecal matter prior to the advent of psychohistory. In this connection, unrivaled intriguing example involves Davan, of whom wee is re in ally k straight offn, only when who may bewilder met with Hari Seldon at peerless cartridge h unrivalled-time(a)er whenEncyclopedia Galactica72.Both Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili had commencen rather lingering baths, incur wont of the several(prenominal)what primitive facilities available to them in the Tisalver household. They had swapd their clothing and were in Seldons board when Jirad Tisalver returned in the quenching. His signal at the intr oduction was (or delaymed) rather timid. The buzz did non last foresighted.Seldon opened the door and verbalise pleasantly, Good evening, Master Tisalver. And Mistress.She was rest full behind her husband, fore gunpoint puckered into a puzzled fr bear.Tisalver verbalise tentatively, as though he was unsure of the situation, ar you and Mistress Venabili both sound up? He nodded his head as though trying to elicit an approving by body language. rather well. In and out of Billibotton without trouble and were all washed and removed. T heres no smell left. Seldon lifted his chin as he give tongue to it, smiling, tossing the sentence over Tisalvers shoulder to his wife. She blubbered loudly, as though test the matter.S till tentatively, Tisalver aver, I netherstand in that location was a jab play off.Seldon embossed his eyebrows. Is that the story?You and the Mistress against a hundred thugs, we were cold, and you killed them all. Is that so? on that point was the disinclined sound of deep respect in his voice.Absolutely non, Dors put in with sudden annoyance. Thats ridiculous. What do you designate we atomic number 18? Mass murderers? And do you call back a hundred thugs would remain in place, asking the con grimacerable time it would take me-us-to kill them all? I baseborn, commemorate al nigh it.Thats what theyre imagineing, say Casilia Tisalver with shrill firmness. We foott soak up that sort of thing in this house.In the prime(prenominal) place, state Seldon, it wasnt in this house. In the second, it wasnt a hundred men, it was ten. In the third, no one was killed. There was some altercation back and forth, after which they left and made steering for us.They just made way. Do you expect me to retrieve that, Ou bothrlders? de partded Mistress Tisalver belligerently.Seldon sighed. At the s weaklyest stress, va permit de chambre worlds percolatemed to divide themselves into antagonistic groups. He state, Well, I grant yo u one of them was cut a elf interchangeable. not seriously.And you werent hurt at all? state Tisalver. The admiration in his voice was more marked. no a scratch, said Seldon. Mistress Venabili communicateles two knives excellently well.I boldness say, said Mistress Tisalver, her eyes dropping to Dorss belt, and thats not what I involve to shake up going on here. Dors said sternly, As long as no one attacks us here, thats what you wont devour here. hardly on bookbill of you, said Mistress Tisalver, we view trash from the highroad standing at the doorway.My love, said Tisalver soothingly, let us not anger- wherefore? spat his wife with scorn. Are you afraid of her knives? I would akin to render her use them here.I have no intention of using them here, said Dors with a sniff as loud as whatsoever that Mistress Tisalver had produced. What is this trash from the street youre talking intimately?Tisalver said, What my wife means is that an urchin from Billibotton-at least, judging by his appearance- complimentses to cover you and we ar not accustomed to that sort of thing in this neighborhood. It undermines our standing. He sounded apolo raiseic.Seldon said, Well, Master Tisalver, well go outside, fuck off out what its all about, and send him on his business as nimblely-No. Wait, said Dors, annoyed. These argon our rooms. We pay for them. We squ atomic number 18 off who visits us and who does not. If there is a young man outside from Billibotton, he is nonetheless a Dahlite. More important, hes a Trantorian. Still more important, hes a citizen of the empire and a human universe. Most important, by asking to see us, he be postdates our guest. Therefore, we invite him in to see us.Mistress Tisalver didnt move. Tisalver himself amaze outed un plastered.Dors said, Since you say I killed a hundred bullies in Billibotton, you surely do not think I am afraid of a boy or, for that matter, of you two. Her right hand dropped casually to her belt.Tisalve r said with sudden energy, Mistress Venabili, we do not reckon to offend you. Of course these rooms are yours and you john entertain whom incessantly you wish here. He stepped back, pulling his indignant wife with him, undergoing a burst of annunciation for which he capability conceivably have to pay afterward. Dors olfactory modalityed after them sternly.Seldon smiled dryly. How impertinent you, Dors. I estimate I was the one who quixotically got into trouble and that you were the pipe down and practical one whose however aim was to prevent trouble.Dors shook her head. I earth-closett bear to project a human being spoken of with contempt just because of his group identification-even by other human beings. Its these respectable great deal here who reach those hooligans out there.And other respectable tribe, said Seldon, who create these respectable state. These mutual animosities are as untold a secern of humanity-Then youll have to deal with it in your psychohisto ry, wont you?Most certainly-if there is ever a psychohistory with which to deal with anything at all.-Ah, here drives the urchin under discussion. And its Raych, which somehow doesnt awe me.73.Raych entered, attend toing about, clearly intimidated. The forefinger of his right hand reached for his speeding sass as though wondering when he would begin to feel the introductory downy hairs there.He turned to the clearly outraged Mistress Tisalver and bowed clumsily. Thank ya, Missus. Ya got a lovely place.Then, as the door slammed behind him, he turned to Seldon and Dors with an air of easy connoisseurship. Nice place, guys.Im glad you same(p) it, said Seldon solemnly. How did you cognize we were here?Followed ya. Howd ya think? Hey, lady-he turned to Dors-you dont advertizeing like no dame.Have you watched many dames fight? asked Dors, amused.Raych rubbed his nose, No, never seen none whatever. They dont pick out knives, except little ones to stigmae kids with. Never scare d me.Im sure they didnt. What do you do to list dames draw their knives?Nothin. You just kid around a little. You holler, Hey, lady, lemme- He thought about it for a moment and said, Nothin.Dors said, Well, dont try that on me.Ya kiddin? After what ya did to Marron? Hey, lady, whered you learn to fight that way?On my own world.Could ya give instruction me?Is that what you came here to see me about?Akchaly, no. I came to bring ya a kind of message.From individual who wants to fight me?No one wants to fight ya, lady. Listen, lady, ya got a reputation now. Everybody knows ya. You just walk down anywhere in old Billibotton and all the guys leave step aside and let ya pass and smile and make sure they dont look cross-eyed at ya. Oh, lady, ya got it made. Thats wherefore he wants to see ya.Seldon said, Raych, just on the dot who wants to see us?Guy called Davan.And who is he?Just a guy. He lives in Billibotton and dont carry no knife.And he stays alive, Raych?He reads a lot and he patrons the guys there when they narrow in trouble with the govment. They kinda leave him alone. He dont need no knife.why didnt he come himself, and then? said Dors. Why did he send you?He dont like this place. He says it makes him sick. He says all the peck here, they lick the govments- He paused, looked dubiously at the two Outworlders, and said, Anyway, he wont come here. He said theyd let me in cause I was exactly a kid. He grinned. They almost didnt, did they? I mean that lady there who looked like she was smellin somethin? He stopped suddenly, abashed, and looked down at himself. Ya dont get much chance to wash where I come from.Its all right, said Dors, smiling. Where are we suppositious to meet, then, if he wont come here? After all-if you dont mind-we dont feel like going to Billibotton.I told ya, said Raych indignantly. Ya get free run of Billibotton, I swear. Besides, where he lives no one leave behind bother ya.Where is it? asked Seldon.I advise take ya there. I t aint far.And why does he want to see us? asked Dors.Dunno. save he says like this- Raych half-closed his eyes in an effort to remember. Tell them I wanna see the man who talked to a Dahlite heatsinker like he was a human being and the woman who beat Marron with knives and didnt kill him when she mighta done so. I think I got it right.Seldon smiled. I think you did. Is he ready for us now?Hes waiting.Then well come with you. He looked at Dors with a trace of surmise in his eyes.She said, All right. Im willing. Perhaps it wont be a trap of some sort. Hope springs eternal-74.There was a pleasant glow to the evening light when they emerged, a faint violet edge and a pinkish bite to the simulated sunset clouds that were scudding along. Dahl might have complaints of their handling by the purple rulers of Trantor, just now surely there was nothing legal injury with the weather the computers spun out for them.Dors said in a low voice, We seem to be celebrities. No mistake about tha t.Seldon brought his eyes down from the animadvertd sky and was immediately aware of a fair-sized crowd around the flat tire house in which the Tisalvers lived. Everyone in the crowd stared at them intently. When it was clear that the two Outworlders had become aware of the attention, a low murmur ran through and through the crowd, which seemed to be on the headway of breaking out into applause.Dors said, Now I can see where Mistress Tisalver would find this annoying. I should have been a little more sympathetic.The crowd was, for the most part, poorly dressed and it was not surd to guess that many of the people were from Billibotton. On impulse, Seldon smiled and raise one hand in a mild greeting that was met with applause. One voice, lost in the gumshoe anonymity of the crowd called out, Can the lady show us some knife tricks?When Dors called back, No, I precisely draw in anger, there was instant laughter. One man stepped forward. He was clearly not from Billibotton and dr ill no obvious mark of being a Dahlite. He had only a small must(prenominal)(prenominal)ache, for one thing, and it was brown, not black. He said, Marlo Tanto of the Trantorian HV News. Can we have you in focus for a bit for our nightly holocast?No, said Dors shortly. No inter conceives.The wordman did not budge. I understand you were in a fight with a great many men in Billibotton-and won. He smiled. Thats news, that is.No, said Dors. We met some men in Billibotton, talked to them, and then moved on. Thats all there is to it and thats all youre going to get.Whats your name? You dont sound like a Trantorian.I have no name.And your friends name?He has no name.The newsman looked annoyed, Look, lady. Youre news and Im just trying to do my job.Raych pulled at Dorss sleeve. She leaned down and listened to his earnest whisper.She nodded and straightened up again. I dont think youre a newsman, Mr. Tanto. What I think you are is an imperial beard agent trying to make trouble for Dahl. Th ere was no fight and youre trying to manufacture news concerning one as a way of justifying an Imperial expedition into Billibotton. I wouldnt stay here if I were you. I dont think youre very popular with these people.The crowd had begun to mutter at Dorss start words. They grew louder now and began to drift, slowly and in a menacing way, in the fashion of Tanto. He looked nervously around and began to move away.Dors raised her voice. Let him go. Dont anyone touch him. Dont give him any excuse to report violence.And they parted before him.Raych said, Aw, lady, you shoulda let them rough him up.Bloodthirsty boy, said Dors, take us to this friend of yours.75.They met the man who called himself Davan in a room behind a dilapidated diner. distant behind.Raych led the way, once more showing himself as much at home in the burrows of Billibotton as a mole would be in tunnels underground in Helicon. It was Dors Venabili whose caution first manifested itself.She stopped and said, Come back , Raych. on the exceptton where are we going?To Davan, said Raych, looking exasperated. I told ya. barely this is a deserted area. Theres no one living here. Dors looked about with obvious distaste. The surround were lifeless and what light panels there were did not glower but did so only dimly.Its the way Davan likes it, said Raych. Hes ceaselessly changing around, staying here, staying there. Ya know changing around.Why? demanded Dors.Its safer, lady.From whom?From the govment.Why would the governing want Davan?I dunno, lady. Tell ya what. Ill advertise ya where he is and tell ya how to go and ya go on alone-if ya dont want me to take ya.Seldon said, No, Raych, Im graceful sure well get lost without you. In fact, you had better wait till were through so you can lead us back.Raych said at once, Whats in it fme? Ya expect me to hang around when I get peckish?You hang around and get hungry, Raych, and Ill buy you a big dinner. Anything you like.Ya say that now. Mister. How do I know?Dorss hand flashed and it was holding a knife, marque exposed, Youre not calling us liars, are you, Raych?Raychs eyes opened wide. He did not seem frightened by the threat. He said, Hey, I didnt see that. Do it again.Ill do it afterward-if youre still here. Otherwise-Dors glared at him-well track you down.Aw, lady, come on, said Raych. Ya aint gonna track me down. Ya aint that kind. But Ill be here. He struck a pose. Ya got my word. And he led them onward in silence, though the sound of their blank space was hollow in the empty corridors.Davan looked up when they entered, a wild look that softened when he saw Raych.He gestured quickly toward the two others-questioningly.Raych said, These are the guys. And, grinning, he left.Seldon said, I am Hari Seldon. The young lady is Dors Venabili. He regarded Davan curiously. Davan was murky and had the thick black mustache of the Dahlite male, but in addition he had a stubble of beard. He was the first Dahlite whom Seldon had seen w ho had not been meticulously shaven. redden the bullies of Billibotton had been smooth of cheek and chin. Seldon said, What is your name, sir?Davan. Raych must have told you.Your second name.I am only Davan. Were you followed here, Master Seldon?No, Im sure we werent. If we had, then by sound or sight, I expect Raych would have known. And if he had not, Mistress Venabili would have.Dors smiled slightly. You have opinion in me, Hari.More all the time, he said thoughtfully.Davan stirred uneasily. besides youve already been found.Found?Yes, I have heard of this supposed newsman.already? Seldon looked faintly surprised. But I suspect he really was a newsman and harmless. We tatted him an Imperial agent at Raychs suggestion, which was a good idea. The surround crowd grew threatening and we got rid of him.No, said Davan, he was what you called him. My people know the man and he does work for the Empire.-But then you do not do as I do. You do not use a chimerical name and change your p lace of abode. You go under your own names, making no effort to remain undercover. You are Hari Seldon, the mathematician.Yes, I am, said Seldon. Why should I invent a false name?The Empire wants you, does it not?Seldon shrugged. I stay in places where the Empire cannot reach out to take me.Not openly, but the Empire doesnt have to work openly. I would prompt you to disappear really disappear.Like you as you say, said Seldon looking about with an edge of distaste. The room was as dead as the corridors he had walked through. It was nonprogressive through and through and it was overwhelmingly depressing.Yes, said Davan. You could be useful to us.In what way?You talked to a young man named Yugo Amaryl.Yes, I did.Amaryl tells me that you can augur the future.Seldon sighed heavily. He was tired of standing in this empty room. Davan was seated on a cushion and there were other cushions available, but they did not look clean. Nor did he wish to lean against the mildew-streaked wall.He said, Either you misunderstood Amaryl or Amaryl misunderstood me. What I have done is to prove that it is possible to tell apart starting conditions from which historical forecasting does not descend into chaotic conditions, but can become expectable within limits. However, what those starting conditions might be I do not know, nor am I sure that those conditions can be found by any one person-or by any number of people-in a finite length of time. Do you understand me?No.Seldon sighed again. Then let me try once more. It is possible to predict the future, but it may be impossible to find out how to take receipts of that possibility. Do you understand?Davan looked at Seldon darkly, then at Dors. Then you cant predict the future.Now you have the point, Master Davan.Just call me Davan. But you may be able to learn to predict the future someday.That is conceivable.Then thats why the Empire wants you.No, Seldon raised his finger didactically. Its my idea that that is why the Empire is not making an overwhelming effort to get me. They might like to have me if I can be picked up without trouble, but they know that right now I know nothing and that it is therefore not worth upsetting the delicate peace of Trantor by interfering with the local rights of this domain or that. Thats the reason I can move about under my own name with reasonable protective cover.For a moment, Davan buried his head in his hands and muttered, This is madness. Then he looked up wearily and said to Dors, Are you Master Seldons wife?Dors said calmly, I am his friend and protector.How well do you know him?We have been together for some months.No more?No more.Would it be your opinion he is speaking the truth?I know he is, but what reason would you have to trust me if you do not trust him? If Hari is, for some reason, lying to you, might I not be lying to you equally in order to support him?Davan looked from one to the other helplessly. Then he said, Would you, in any case, help us?Who are us and in what way do you need help?Davan said, You see the situation here in Dahl. We are oppressed. You must know that and, from your give-and-take of Yugo Amaryl, I cannot believe you lack sympathy for us.We are fully sympathetic.And you must know the source of the oppression.You are going to tell me that its the Imperial government, I suppose, and I dare say it plays its part. On the other hand, I denounce that there is a middle class in Dahl that despises the heatsinkers and a criminal class that terrorizes the rest of the sector.Davans lips tightened, but he remained unmoved. Quite true. Quite true. But the Empire encourages it as a matter of principle. Dahl has the voltage for making serious trouble. If the heatsinkers should go on strike, Trantor would experience a arrant(a) energy shortage almost at once with all that that implies. However, Dahls own upper classes will spend money to hire the hoodlums of Billibotton-and of other places-to fight the heatsinkers and break th e strike. It has happened before. The Empire allows some Dahlites to prosper-comparatively-in order to convert them into Imperialist lackeys, opus it refuses to en personnel department the arms-control laws consequenceively enough to resign the criminal element.The Imperial government does this everywhere-and not in Dahl alone. They cant exert force to impose their will, as in the old days when they ruled with brutal directness. Nowadays, Trantor has grown so interwoven and so easily disturbed that the Imperial forces must progress their hands off-A form of degeneration, said Seldon, remembering Hummins complaints.What? said Davan.Nothing, said Seldon. Go on.The Imperial forces must keep their hands off, but they find that they can do much even so. Each sector is encourage to be suspicious of its neighbors. Within each sector, economic and social classes are encouraged to wage a kind of war with each other. The event is that all over Trantor it is impossible for the people to take united action. Everywhere, the people would rather fight each other than make a joint stand against the central tyranny and the Empire rules without having to exert force.And what, said Dors, do you think can be done about it?Ive been trying for age to build a feeling of solidarity among the peoples of Trantor.I can only suppose, said Seldon dryly, that you are finding this an impossibly difficult and largely thankless task.You suppose correctly, said Davan, but the party is growing stronger. Many of our knifers are attack to the realization that knives are best when they are not used on each other. Those who attacked you in the corridors of Billibotton are examples of the unconverted. However, those who support you now, who are ready to take you against the agent you thought was a newsman, are my people. I live here among them. It is not an attractive way of life, but I am safe here. We have adherents in neighboring sectors and we spread daily.But where do we come in? ask ed Dors.For one thing, said Davan, both of you are Outworlders, scholars. We need people like you among our leaders. Our greatest strength is drawn from the poor and the uneducated because they yearn the most, but they can lead the least. A person like one of you two is worth a hundred of them.Thats an odd estimate from someone who wishes to rescue the oppressed, said Seldon.I dont mean as people, said Davan hastily. I mean as far as leadership is concerned. The party must have among its leaders men and women of intellectual power.People like us, you mean, are needed to give your party a veneer of respectability.Davan said, You can always put something noble in a sneering fashion if you try. But you, Master Seldon, are more than respectable, more than intellectual. Even if you wont admit to being able to penetrate the mists of the future-Please, Davan, said Seldon, dont be poetic and dont use the conditional. Its not a matter of admitting. I cant foresee the future. Those are not m ists that baffle the view but chrome steel barriers.Let me finish. Even if you cant actually predict with-what do you call it?-psychohistorical accuracy, youve studied history and you may have a certain intuitive feeling for consequences. Now, isnt that so?Seldon shook his head. I may have a certain intuitive understanding for numerical likelihood, but how far I can translate that into anything of historical importee is quite uncertain. Actually, I have not studied history. I wish I had. I feel the loss keenly.Dors said evenly, I am the historian, Davan, and I can say a few things if you wish.Please do, said Davan, making it half a courtesy, half a challenge.For one thing, there have been many revolutions in Galactic history that have overthrown tyrannies, sometimes on individual planets, sometimes in groups of them, occasionally in the Empire itself or in the pre-Imperial regional governments. Often, this has only meant a change in tyranny. In other words, one ruling class is re move by another-sometimes by one that is more efficient and therefore still more suitable of maintaining itself-while the poor and downtrodden remain poor and downtrodden or become even worse off.Davan, listening intently, said, Im aware of that. We all are. Perhaps we can learn from the knightly and know better what to avoid. Besides, the tyranny that now exists is actual. That which may exist in the future is merely potential. If we are always to draw back from change with the thought that the change may be for the worse, then there is no hope at all of ever escaping injustice.Dors said, A second point you must remember is that even if you have right on your side, even if justice thunders condemnation, it is usually the tyranny in existence that has the balance of force on its side. There is nothing your knife handlers can do in the way of rioting and demonstrating that will have any permanent effect as long as, in the extremity, there is an army equipped with kinetic, chemical , and neurological weapons that is willing to use them against your people. You can get all the downtrodden and even all the respectables on your side, but you must somehow win over the security forces and the Imperial army or at least seriously weaken their loyalty to the rulers.Davan said, Trantor is a multigovernmental world. Each sector has its own rulers and some of them are themselves anti-Imperial. If we can have a strong sector on our side, that would change the situation, would it not? We would then not be merely ragamuffins fighting with knives and stones.Does that mean you do have a strong sector on your side or merely that it is your ambition to have one?Davan was silent.Dors said, I shall collide with that you are thinking of the Mayor of Wye. If the Mayor is in the mood to make use of popular discontent as a way of meliorate the chance of toppling the Emperor, doesnt it strike you that the end the Mayor would have in view would be that of succeeding to the Imperial t hrone? Why should the Mayor fortune his present not-inconsiderable position for anything less? Merely for the blessings of justice and the decent handling of people, concerning whom he can have little interest?You mean, said Davan, that any powerful leader who is willing to help us may then betray us.It is a situation that is all too common in Galactic history.If we are ready for that, might we not betray him?You mean, make use of him and then, at some crucial moment, subvert the leader of his forces-or a leader, at any rate-and have him assassinated?Not perhaps exactly like that, but some way of getting rid of him might exist if that should prove necessary.Then we have a revolutionary doing in which the principal players must be ready to betray each other, with each simply waiting for the opportunity. It sounds like a recipe for chaos.You will not help us, then? said Davan.Seldon, who had been listening to the exchange amongst Davan and Dors with a puzzled frown on his face, sai d, We cant put it that simply. We would like to help you. We are on your side. It seems to me that no sane man wants to uphold an Imperial system that maintains itself by fostering mutual hatred and suspicions. Even when it seems to work, it can only be described as meta-stable that is, as too keen to fall into instability in one direction or another. But the question is How can we help? If I had psychohistory, if I could tell what is most likely to happen, or if I could tell what action of a number of alternative possibilities is most likely to bring on an apparently halcyon consequence, then I would put my abilities at your disposal.-But I dont have it. I can help you best by trying to develop psychohistory.And how long will that take?Seldon shrugged. I cannot say.How can you ask us to wait indefinitely?What alternative do I have, since I am uneffective to you as I am? But I will say this I have until very recently been quite convinced that the discipline of psychohistory was absolutely impossible. Now I am not so certain of that.You mean you have a solution in mind?No, merely an intuitive feeling that a solution might be possible. I have not been able to pin down what has occurred to make me have that feeling. It may be an illusion, but I am trying. Let me come on to try.-Perhaps then well meet again.Or perhaps, said Davan, if you return to where you are now staying, you will eventually find yourself in an Imperial trap. You may think that the Empire will leave you alone while you struggle with psychohistory, but I am certain the Emperor and his toady Demerzel are in no mood to wait forever, any more than I am.It will do them no good to hasten, said Seldon calmly, since I am not on their side, as I am on yours.-Come, Dors.They turned and left Davan, sitting alone in his squalid room, and found Raych waiting for them outside.76.Raych was eating, licking his fingers, and crumpling the lulu in which the food-whatever it was-had been. A strong smell of on ions pervaded the air-different somehow, yeast-based perhaps.Dors, retreating a little from the odor, said, Where did you get the food from, Raych?Davans guys. They brought it to me. Davans okay.Then we dont have to buy you dinner, do we? said Seldon, conscious(p) of his own empty stomach.Ya owe me somethin, said Raych, looking greedily in Dorss direction. How about the ladys knife? One of em.No knife, said Dors. You get us back safely and Ill give you five credits.Cant get no knife for five credits, grumbled Raych.Youre not getting anything but five credits, said Dors.Youre a lousy dame, lady, said Raych.Im a lousy dame with a quick knife, Raych, so get moving.All right. Dont get all perspired. Raych waved his hand. This way.It was back through the empty corridors, but this time Dors, looking this way and that, stopped. Hold on, Raych. Were being followed.Raych looked exasperated. Ya aint supposed to hear em.Seldon said, bending his head to one side, I dont hear anything.I do, sai d Dors. Now, Raych, I dont want any fooling around. You tell me right now whats going on or Ill rap your head so that you wont see straight for a week. I mean it.Raych held up one arm defensively. You try it, you lousy dame. You try it. Its Davans guys. Theyre just pickings care of us, in case any knifers come along.Davans guys?Yeah. Theyre goin along the portion corridors.Dorss right hand shot out and seized Raych by the scruff of his upper garment. She lifted and he dangled, shouting, Hey, lady. HeySeldon said, Dors Dont be hard on him.Ill be harder still if I think hes lying. Youre my charge, Hari, not he.Im not lyin, said Raych, struggling. Im not.Im sure he isnt, said Seldon.Well, well see. Raych, tell them to come out where we can see them. She let him drop and dusted her hands.Youre some kind of nut, lady, said Raych aggrievedly. Then he raised his voice. Yay, Davan Come out here, some of ya guysThere was a wait and then, from an lightless opening along the corridor, two da rk-mustached men came out, one with a scar running the length of his cheek. Each held the sheath of a knife in his hand, blade withdrawn.How many more of you are there? asked Dors harshly.A few, said one of the newcomers. Orders. Were guarding you. Davan wants you safe.Thank you. Try to be even quieter. Raych, keep on moving.Raych said sulkily, Ya roughed me up when I was telling the truth.Youre right, said Dors. At least, I think youre right and I apologize.Im not sure I should accept, said Raych, trying to stand tall. But awright, just this once. He moved on.When they reached the walkway, the spiritual world corps of guards vanished. At least, even Dorss keen ears could hear them no more. By now, though, they were moving into the respectable part of the sector.Dors said thoughtfully, I dont think we have clothes that would go over you, Raych.Raych said, Why do ya want clothes to fit me, Missus? (Respectability seemed to invade Raych once they were out of the corridors.) I got clo thes.I thought youd like to come into our place and take a bath.Raych said, What for? Ill wash one o these days. And Ill put on my other shirt. He looked up at Dors shrewdly. Youre repentant ya roughed me up. Right? Ya tryin to make up?Dors smiled. Yes. Sort of.Raych waved a hand in lordly fashion. Thats all right. Ya didnt hurt. Listen. Youre strong for a lady. Ya lifted me up like I was nothin.I was annoyed, Raych. I have to be concerned about Master Seldon.Ya sort of his bodyguard? Raych looked at Seldon inquiringly. Ya got a lady for a bodyguard?I cant help it, said Seldon smiling wryly. She insists. And she certainly knows her job.Dors said, believe again, Raych. Are you sure you wont have a bath? A courteous warm bath.Raych said, I got no chance. Ya think that lady is gonna let me in the house again?Dors looked up and saw Casilia Tisalver outside the front door of the apartment complex, staring first at the Outworld woman and then at the slum-bred boy. It would have been im possible to tell in which case her expression was angrier.Raych said, Well, so long, Mister and Missus. I dont know if shell let either of ya in the house. He placed his hands in his pocket and swaggered off in a okay affectation of carefree indifference.Seldon said, Good evening, Mistress Tisalver. Its rather late, isnt it?Its very late, she replied. There was a near riot today outside this very complex because of that newsman you pushed the street vermin at.We didnt push anyone on anyone, said Dors.I was there, said Mistress Tisalver intransigently. I saw it. She stepped aside to let them enter, but delayed long enough to make her reluctance quite plain.She acts as though that was the last straw, said Dors as she and Seldon made their way up to their rooms.So? What can she do about it? asked Seldon.I wonder, said Dors.