of diagrams. (No doubt she planned to be imposing, too.)
As the focus sharpened, the edges of the screen seemed to melt away and the image of Vasilia (if it were she) deepened and became three-dimensional. She was standing in the room with every sign of solid reality, except that the decor of the room she was in, did not match the room Baley was in and the break was a sharp one.
She was wearing a dark brown skirt that divided into loose trouser legs that were semitransparent, so that her legs, from midthigh down, were shadowily visible. Her blouse was tight and sleeveless, so that her arms were bare to the shoulder. Her neckline was low and her hair, quite blond, was in tight curls.
She had none of her father's plainness and certainly not his large ears. Baley could only assume she had had a beautiful mother and was fortunate in the allotment of genes.
She was short and Baley could see a remark able resemblance to Gladia in her facial features, although her expression was far colder and seemed to bear the mark of a dominating personality.
She said sharply, "Are you the Earthman come to solve my father's problems?"
"Yes, Dr. Fastolfe," said Baley in an equally clipped manner.
"You may call me Dr. Vasilia. I do not wish the confusion of being mistaken for my father."
"Dr. Vasilia, I must have a chance to deal with you, face-to-face, for a reasonably extended period."
"No doubt you feel that. You are, of course, an Earthman and a certain source of infection."
"I have been medically treated and I am quite safe to be with. Your father has been constantly with me for over a day."
"My father pretends to be an idealist and must do foolish things at times to support the pretense. I will not imitate him."
"I take it you do not wish him harm. You will bring him harm if you refuse to see me."
"You are wasting time. I will not see you, except in this manner, and half the period I have allotted is gone. If you wish, we can stop this now if you find it unsatisfactory."
"Giskard is here, Dr. Vasilia, and would like to urge you to see me."
Giskard stepped into the field of vision. "Good morning, Little Miss," he said in a low voice.
For a moment, Vasilia looked embarrassed and, when she spoke, it was in a somewhat softer tone. "I am glad to view you, Giskard, and will see you any time you wish, but I will not see this Earthman, even at your urging."
"In that case," said Baley, throwing in all his reserves desperately, "I must take the case of Santirix Gremionis to the public without the benefit of having consulted you."
Vasilia's eyes widened and her hand on the table lifted upward and clenched into a fist, "What is this about Gremionis?"
"Only that he is a handsome young man and he knows you well. Am I to deal with these matters without hearing what you have to say?"
"I will tell you right now that - "
"No," said Baley loudly. "You will tell me nothing unless I see you face-to-face."
Her mouth twitched. "I will see you, then, but I will not remain with you one moment more than I choose. I warn you. - And bring Giskard."
The trimensional connection broke off with a snap and Baley felt himself turn dizzy at the sudden change in background that resulted. He made his way to a chair and sat down.
Giskard's hand was on his elbow, making certain that he reached the chair safely. "Can I help you in any way, sir?" he asked.
"I'm all right," said Baley. I just need to catch my breath."
Dr. Fastolfe was standing before him. "My apologies, again, for failure in my duties as a host. I listened on an extension that was equipped to receive and not transmit. I wanted to see my daughter, even if she didn't see me."
"I understand," said Baley, panting slightly. "If manners dictate that what you did requires an apology, then I forgive you."
"But what is this about Santirix Gremionis? The name is unfamiliar to me."
Baley looked up at Fastolfe and said, "Dr. Fastolfe, I heard his name from Gladia this morning. I know very little about him, but I took the chance of saying what I did to your daughter anyway. The odds were heavily against me, but the results were what I wanted them to be, nevertheless. As you see, I can make useful deductions, even when I have