The mountains about Kroten are supposed to have been infested by these nomadic companies.

Whether the outrages set down to them are really committed or not, I don't suppose any one knows, but my point of view is that the presence of these people is absolutely encouraged by the Government, to give them an excuse for the most extraordinary precautions in issuing passports or allowing any one from the outside world to pass into the city.

If you get in, I understand you are waited upon by the police within half an hour and have to tell them the story of your past life and your future intentions.

After that you are allowed to go about on parole.

If you get too inquisitive, you are discovered to be in touch with the robber bands, and--well--that's an end of you." "A nice, salubrious spot," Nigel murmured.
"It sounds most interesting," Maggie declared.