"Quite so," said Barch.
"The tourist trade is important to us, and the nomads ingest this knowledge with their mother's milk."
"What of the Zubenites? Surely they live by some sort of law."
Barch smilingly shook his head.
"They live in the shadow of Pogan's Point, and the Monomantic seminary exerts all necessary authority. Away from Pogan's Point and across the steppes the only justice is what happens when you get caught. Those are the rules of life on Tassadero."
"In bad situations I suppose that the IPCC will impose order," suggested Glawen.
"After all, Gaean law operates everywhere, including Lutwiler Country. We are IPCC affiliates ourselves, incidentally."
Barch shrugged.
"The IPCC at Fexelburg is unpredictable. Commander Plock is sometimes a bit hard to deal with. He is, let us say, set in his ways."
Tanaquil spoke.
"A certain person, whom I will not identify, has even used the word 'arrogant' in this connection."
"I'm sorry to hear this," said Glawen.
"Since we are IPCC agents, we must pay the office a courtesy call, and we will certainly keep your remarks in mind."
Barch said thoughtfully: "There is another matter, rather delicate, upon which I must take advice. Please excuse me a moment, while I telephone my superiors."
Barch crossed the lobby to a telephone.
Kirdy asked Tanaquil: "What is suddenly so delicate?"
Tanaquil rubbed his chin.
"The Zubenites can be surly when they are ruffled. The folk at the Monomantic se.-ii nary are downright strange. We take pains never to cause annoyance, since we don't want them becoming obnoxious and taking revenge on the tourists."
"How would they do that?" asked Glawen.
"There are ways: petty annoyances for the most part. For instance, dozens of tourist caravans search Lutwiler Country for Zonk's Tomb, or pass through on the way to the Far Countries. The Zubenites need only put a gate across the road and charge toll, or require that each tourist must climb up Pogan's Point to the seminary to have entry documents signed, and return the next day for countersignature, at a fee of twenty sols. Or they might insist that the tourists learn Monomantic Syntoraxis, or any of a dozen other nuisances, and soon the tourist trade, at least through Pogan's Point, would be a thing of the past."
Inspector Barch returned.
"My superiors agree that we should offer every assistance. They hope that you will keep us informed of your' activities and also of your eventual findings. They advise that you use the utmost tact in your dealings with the Zubenites. The Monomantic seminary is the philosophic center of the Zubenites; you might say that it is the seat of government, such as it is. So far as we are concerned, we are out of the picture. We interfere with the Zubenites as little as possible, for very good reasons."
"So, if they refuse to answer my questions, I cannot threaten them with reprisals from the Fexelburg police?"
"It would be foolish, inadvisable, useless and a waste of breath."
"That seems definite enough."
Barch and Tanaquil rose to their feet. Barch said: "It has been a pleasure talking with you. We wish you the best of luck in your inquiries."
"Those are also my sentiments," said Tanaquil.
The police inspectors departed. Glawen watched them cross the lobby.
"They have made themselves clear," he told Kirdy.
"They really don't want us meddling with the Zubenites, but they can't stop us, so they'll cooperate. That means they want to know what we are doing at all times."
"I thought that they seemed decent enough," said Kirdy.
"That is my impression too," said Glawen. He rose to his feet.
Kirdy asked in sudden suspicion: "Where are you going?"
"Just over to the desk."
"What for? Is something wrong? We've just arrived; are you complaining already?"
"I am not complaining. I want to locate the IPCC office."
Kirdy groaned and uttered a vulgar oath, to which Glawen paid no heed. He went to the desk and a moment later returned.
"It's just five minutes' walk around the plaza.
I'm curious to look in on this 'doctrinaire, arrogant' group."
"Can't you ever relax?" demanded Kirdy.
