ALTHOUGH HE had long since decided to believe that all that was happening to him was real, J. T. Wilkie gave a long sigh of relief and renewed exasperation as the helicopters slanted in to a landing.  They had left that inhospitable land of Myxotic and crossed three more strange and eerie otherworlds through the Dimensions before coming out to a plain of grass where modern Italian-built helicopters awaited them.

Now, after a swift but boring flight southward, they were landing in this world of Irunium on an area that, if Polak's calculations were correct, would directly correspond in their own Dimension to Manhattan Island.

"Yes, J. T.," the Contessa said, striding ahead with Soloman skippping along at her side.  "Right where we now are lies New York.  But you could never cross over, though you tried all your life.  You have to be a Porteur or possess a Porvone Portal of Life -"  She broke off sharply as Charnock reacted.  She laughed scornfully.  "I know, Charnock, that the Porvone are more to be feared than the worst tortures mankind can invent, but they are not here now.  Brace up, man!"

Charnock mumbled a reply.  He didn't like the trend of the conversation, that was for sure.

They walked toward a long serrated wall, flushed with rose by the dying sun.  Towers and minarets and spires rose in the sunset beyond.  Sentries prowled the ramparts.  Wilkie felt his tiredness dragging on him.  He had been promised a bath and food and a bed.  Right now that was all he wanted.  Later, very definitely, he'd get back to the main pursuit....

The small city within its encircling walls crouched against the grass plain.  A river wended past, silent except for an occasional plash and no ships sailed its current.  Within the walls the hush seemed to Wilkie a strange and indecent thing.  Here in these wide squares and terraced colonnades and broad avenues should be laughter and lights, singing throngs of merrymakers.  Instead, all was quietness and dimness, lit by occasional lamps as the sun went down.

"You will be shown your quarters, J. T. Polak may share them.  He, too, will be useful to me."  She smiled as a small pneumatic-wheeled electric car circled up.  She sat without a trace of fatigue.  Soloman put his great head on her lap and went to sleep at once.  "I will order everything you will need.  There will be a selection of girls from which you may choose.  But remember, everything you owe to me - your life, your continued existence - everything!  And now, good night."

And the electric car hummed away into the dimness.

"Girls?" said enraptured J. T. Wilkie.

"There's a catch in this somewhere," rumbled Polak dubiously.  He stared around at the silent city, frowning.

"Yeah, but, Polak - she did say girls!"

Polak burst out into a coarse guffaw.  "You know, boy, I hate to admit this to you of all people, but after what we've been through I'm not too sure - myself -"

"Yeah," said crestfallen J. T. Wilkie.  "Me as well."

Laughing, drugged with fatigue and released emotions, they staggered off after Charnock.  He led them through vast dim rooms within what seemed to be a palace, although Wilkie was now too tired to care what it was, until they reached a cozy suite of rooms overlooking the river.  Here he showed them where everything was and then retired.

As he went, he said, "You are an important man in Irunium now, J. T.  Just remember that.  The Contessa's word is absolute law here.  That is even more important to remember.  Good night."

"G'night,"  yawned Wilkie.  Then: "Hey!  What about the girls?"

But the door had closed firmly.

"That doohickey you've got over your head, J. T., is damn useful.  Remind me in the morning to see about getting one for myself."

"Okay, Polak.  It would be useful."

They bathed in warm scented water and ate a meal of fruits and soft buttered bread and drank some more of the fiery wine.  Then, scarcely able to keep his eyes open, Wilkie said, "Even if the Folies Bergères pranced in here in the altogether I think I'd roll over and sleep.  G'night, Polak."

"Well, J. T.  We're in Irunium.  Now," said Polak as he lay down on the other bed.  "I wonder what the Contessa wants you for, boy?  Hey?"