There was only one odd thing. The room nearest to where Freka sat was empty, and its curtains were only partly drawn.
Stark began to brood on the emptiness of that room.
He beckoned Kala to him. "I will try the lamp," he said. "But I wish privacy. Have it brought to that room, there."
Kala said, "That room is taken."
"But I see no one!"
"It is taken, it is paid for, and no one may enter. I will have your lamp brought here."
"No," said Stark. "The hell with it. I'm going."
He flung down a coin and went out. Moving swiftly outside, he placed his eye to a crack in the nearest shutter, and waited.
Luhar of Venus came out of the empty room. His face was worried, and Stark smiled. He went back and stood flat against the wall beside the door.
In a moment it opened and the Venusian came out, drawing his gun as he did so.