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167
The Status Civilization
·
Robert Sheckley
153
"How?"
"I
have
my
own
means
of
protection."
"How
did
you
know
my
name?"
"I've
known
about
you
almost
since
you
set
foot
upon
Earth.
We
are
not
entirely
without
resources
you
know.
But
we
can
discuss
all
that
inside.
Won't
you
come
in?"
"I
think
I'd
rather
not."
"I'm
afraid
you
have
to.
Come,
Barrent,
I
won't
bite
you."
"Am
I
under
arrest?"
"Of
course
not.
We're
simply
going
to
have
a
little
talk.
That's
right,
sir,
right
through
there.
Just
make
yourself
comfortable."
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
Dravivian
led
him
into
a
large
room
paneled
in
walnut.
The
furniture
was
of
a
heavy,
black
wood,
intricately
carved
and
varnished.
The
desk,
high
and
straight,
seemed
to
be
an
antique.
A
heavy
tapestry
covered
one
entire
wall.
It
depicted,
in
fading
colors,
a
medieval
hunting
scene.
"Do
you
like
it?"
Dravivian
asked.
"My
family
did
the
furnishing.
My
wife
copied
the
tapestry
from
an
original
in
the
Metropolitan
Museum.
My
two
sons
collaborated
on
the
furniture.
They
wanted
something
ancient
and
Spanish
in
feeling,
but
with
more
comfort
than
antiques
usually
give.
A
slight
modification
of
the
lines
accomplished
that.
My
own
contributions
are
not
visible.
Music
of
the
baroque
period
is
my
specialty."
"Aside
from
policework,"
Barrent
said.
"Yes,
aside
from
that."
Dravivian
turned
away
from
Barrent
and
looked
thoughtfully
at
the
tapestry.
"We
will
come
to
the
matter
of
the
police
in
due
course.
Tell
me
first,
what
do
you
think
of
this
room?"
"It's
very
beautiful,"
Barrent
said.
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