nnoying _him_.

Finally, they refused to get off the walks when he hailed them--which
was unheard of, for no Belphin had ever before failed to respond to an
Earthman's call--and when he started running along the walks after
them, they ran much faster than he could.

At last he gave up and wandered about the city for hours, speaking to
neither human nor Belphin, wondering what to do. That is, he knew what
he had to do; he was wondering _how_ to do it. He would never be able
to reach The Belphin of Belphins. No human being had ever done it.
Mieczyslaw and George had died trying to reach him (or it). Even though
their intentions had been hostile and Ludovick's would be helpful,
there was little chance he would be allowed to reach The Belphin with
all the other Belphins against him. What guarantee was there that The
Belphin would not be against him, too?

And yet he knew that he would have to risk his life; there was no help
for it. He had never wanted to be a hero, and here he had heroism
thrust upon him. He knew he could not succeed; equally well, he knew he
could not turn back, for his Belphin teacher had instructed him in the
meaning of duty.

It was twilight when he approached the Blue Tower. Commending himself
to the Infinite Virtue, he entered. The Belphin at the reception desk
did not give off the customary smiling expression. In fact, he seemed
to radiate a curiously apprehensive aura.

"Go back, young man," he said. "You're not wanted here."

"I must see The Belphin of Belphins. I must warn him against the
Flockharts."

"He has been warned," the receptionist told him. "Go home and be
happy!"

"I don't trust you or your brothers. I must see The Belphin himself."

Suddenly this particular Belphin lost his commanding manners. He began
to wilt, insofar as so rigidly constructed a creature could go limp.
"Please, we've done so much for you. Do this for us."

"The Belphin of Belphins did things for us," Ludovick countered. "You
are all only his followers. How do I know you are _really_ following
him? How do I know you haven't turned against him?"

Without giving the creature a chance to answer, he strode forward.
The Belphin attempted to bar his way. Ludovick knew one Belphin was
a myriad times as strong as a human, so it was out of utter futility
that he struck.

The Belphin collapsed completely, flying apart in a welter of fragile
springs and gears. The fact was of some deeper significance, Ludovick
kn