It will be worth many times the money to them, and they needn't know what you pay for it.
And, mind you, none of it will require priestly supervision.
Everybody will be happy."
"Except you, it seems.
What do you get out of it?"
"Just what every trader gets by Foundation law.
My men and I will collect half of whatever profits we take in.
Just you buy all I want to sell you, and we'll both make out quite well. Quite well."
The Commdor was enjoying his thoughts,
"What did you say you wanted to be paid with?
Iron?"
"That, and coal, and bauxite. Also tobacco, pepper, magnesium, hardwood.
Nothing you haven't got enough of."
"It sounds well."
"I think so.
Oh, and still another item at random, Commdor.
I could retool your factories."
"Eh?
How's that?"
"Well, take your steel foundries.
I have handy little gadgets that could do tricks with steel that would cut production costs to one percent of previous marks.
You could cut prices by half, and still split extremely fat profits with the manufacturers.
I tell you, I could show you exactly what I mean, if you allowed me a demonstration.
Do you have a steel foundry in this city?
It wouldn't take long."
"It could be arranged, Trader Mallow. But tomorrow, tomorrow.
Would you dine with us tonight?"
"My men-" began Mallow.
"Let them all come," said the Commdor, expansively.
"A symbolic friendly union of our nations. It will give us a chance for further friendly discussion.
But one thing," his face lengthened and grew stem, "none of your religion.
Don't think that all this is an entering wedge for the missionaries."
"Commdor," said Mallow, dryly,
"I give you my word that religion would cut my profits."
"Then that will do for now.
You'll be escorted back to your ship." 6.
The Commdora was much younger than her husband.
Her face was pale and coldly formed and her black hair was drawn smoothly and tightly back.
Her voice was tart.
"You are quite finished, my gracious and noble husband?
Quite, quite finished?
I suppose I may even enter the garden if I wish, now."
"There is no need for dramatics, Licia, my dear," said the Commdor, mildly.
"The young man will attend at dinner tonight, and you can speak with him all you wish and even amuse yourself by listening to all I say.
Room will have to be arranged for his men somewhere about the place.
The stars grant that they be few in numbers."
"Most likely they'll be great hogs of eaters who will eat meat by the quarter-animal and wine by the hogshead. And you will groan for two nights when you calculate the expense."
"Well now, perhaps I won't.
Despite your opinion, the dinner is to be on the most lavish scale."
"Oh, I see."