difficult for us. Your name, sir?" He still smiled broadly, but his eyes were studying Manning with a humorless gaze.

"Melvin Draco," said Manning. He was certain the Algolian already knew his name.

"And how did you happen to seek our services, Mr. Draco?"

"You sent me a letter," Manning said, pulling it from his pocket.

"We send out so many letters," murmured Nadyl. "So there is a rift in your conjugal bliss—do you find it difficult to understand me, Mr. Draco? Should I speak more simply?"

"Of course, I understand you; I'm hardly an idiot," Manning said irritably.

"Of course not," the Algolian said hastily, but his voice lacked conviction. "You are a Terran?"

"I'm a Terran." Manning was beginning to wonder what some of these aliens on Canopus thought Terrans were like; this was the second time he'd been asked doubtfully about his origin. He checked the impulse to look to see if his clothing was disarranged. For a minute he felt like the man at whom the famous Tongue-Shrinker[7] ads were aimed.

[7] Do you retain sophisticated poise in all circumstances, or are you often embarrassed by lack of TC[8]? When you see something you want and can't have, does your tongue hang out? If so, buy Mechel's Patented Tongue-Shrinker. (adv.)

[8] Tongue-Control.

Whatever it was that was disturbing the Algolian, he dismissed it. "Well," he said briskly, "what seems to be your problem, Mr. Draco?"

"My wife," Manning said solemnly, "is a very beautiful woman and I am quite fond of her. But the poor woman has a most unpleasant voice which she uses almost constantly. And lately she seems to have decided that a husband's place is across the room from his wife."

"A most unfortunate situation," the Algolian agreed pleasantly. His tentacles busied themselves with things on the desk in a manner reminding Manning of J. Barnaby Cruikshank. "We find it to be, however, a rather common complaint. But not one, I might add, which offers any obstacles to our services."

"Just how do you work?" Manning asked.

"As stated in my letter, there is no charge for consultation. If I succeed—and I have never failed, Mr. Draco—in eliminating your problem, there will be a 

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