word that the game was up.

"Angus," Manning said to the guide as they left the bank, "did you know Jaba Woo, Nottyl Nadyl and Encycla Grave?"

"I knew them," the guide said. "Not well, you understand."

"I thought that all Algolians maintained a very close relationship. That's what I was told."

"True up to a point," the guide admitted. "But you have to consider the class differences. The ones you mention were all business men while I am a mere guide. They would have considered it degrading to be too friendly with me."

They walked past a corner where some workers were excavating for a new building. The blasting was being done with ultrasonics. Manning could hear nothing, although it was strong enough to make him aware of pressure on his nerves. But he noticed that Angus McBlla's face contorted with pain. The knot of hair on his head momentarily lost its mushroom-shape, seemed to be almost trying to move over to the side of his face away from the blasting. Then they were past the corner and the sensitive hearing-hair resumed its shape.

"You know that I'm trying to find them," Manning said. "Would you have any idea where they've gone?"

The guide shook his head. "Algolians are very hard to find," he said, "when they wish not to be found. Maybe they've left Canopus."

"I don't think so," Manning said. "Well, there are a few other things I want to check, but first take me to the headquarters of the Federation police."

"Sure thing," the guide said cheerfully. "It's not far; we might as well walk."

They had almost reached the police station when Manning had a bright idea. He stopped off at a public visibooth and put in a call to the Solar University on Mars. He was in the booth for a long time, but when he emerged he looked a little more cheerful.

"Did you find them?" the waiting guide asked.

"No," Manning said. "That was a personal call."

When they reached the police station, Angus McBlla was about to head for the nearest sense-lounge, but Manning stopped him. "I'll only be in here long enough to find out if they know anything," he said. "Then we'll go on. You might as well go in with me. You'll get loaded if you keep waiting for me in 

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