It was first published in the June 1951 issue of Thrilling Wonder Stories magazine and in book form as half of an Ace Double in 1964, together with The Houses of Iszm.

For unknown reasons, he is befriended by Hableyat, a self-admitted spy of the rival world Mangtse, who finds him a job as chauffeur for the Thearch of the District.

A chance remark reveals that afterwards they intend to kill him, so he refuses to drive them, instead extracting a bribe for his silence.

When they arrive on Ballenkarch, Joe finds to his surprise that Harry Creath has made himself ruling prince, with the woman he left behind on Earth as his princess.

The plant captures and consumes several people (back on Kyril, deluded Laity eagerly give themselves to its parent by the thousands each day).