 What is the significance of the glass statue that Frank finds in the store?
Frank Pembroke sat behind the desk of his shabby little office over Lemark's Liquors in downtown Los Angeles and waited for his first customer. Opening the desk drawer, which was almost empty, Pembroke removed an automatic pistol fitted with a silencer. Pointing it at the amazed customer, he fired four .22 caliber longs into the narrow chest. The series of events leading up to Pembroke's present occupation had commenced on a dismal, overcast evening in the South Pacific a year earlier. Standing on the forward deck, Pembroke was one of the first to perceive the peculiar odor and to spot the immense gray hulk wallowing in the murky distance. Pembroke came as close to being a professional adventurer as one can in these days of regimented travel, organized peril, and political restriction. Loyalty to person or to people was a trait Pembroke had never recognized in himself, nor had it ever been expected of him. Lacking such loyalties, Pembroke adapted quickly to the situation in which he found himself when he regained consciousness. The wallet in his pocket contained exactly what it should, approximately three hundred dollars. One in particular, an attractive woman of about thirty, tossed back her long, chestnut locks and gazed up intently at Pembroke as he passed. Then he saw the weird little glass statuette among the usual bric-a-brac. Pembroke watched with lifted eyebrows as the clerk whisked the bizarre statuette underneath the counter. But as he left the shop he began checking off every west coast state, city, town, and inlet. "Which way is it to San Francisco?" asked Pembroke. Pembroke watched him hurry off to service a car with a sense of having been given the runaround. To his surprise, the boy came back a few minutes later after servicing the automobile. "Perfect," Pembroke told him. "All cargo ships, I'll bet. Going to the bar, he recognized one of the Elena Mia's paying passengers. "Just be yourself, gal," Spencer drawled, jabbing her intimately with a fat elbow, "and you'll qualify." I've never seen such a collection of dolls as parade around this here city. Pembroke took his rum and tonic and moved over to Spencer's booth. "Mister, you've been doing some thinkin', I can see," said Spencer, peering at him suspiciously. "Your bet's as good as mine," said Pembroke. Spencer opened his mouth to protest, but saw with amazement that it was exactly this that Valencia was seeking.
 It is the first piece of evidence about the others who live on the planet.
 It prompts a discussion of the worth of various materials in this town.  It is the first piece of evidence about the others who live on the planet.  It is proof that hedgehogs are held in high esteem in this society.  It shows him where he can find a craftsman to help them with the project.