as a matter of fact. You can go as my guest."

"Good," said Manning. He finished his drink. "After I've looked him over, I'd like to see the reports you had on him. Maybe we can figure out something. In the meantime, if you don't mind, I think I'll rest."

"Certainly," said Xelia, standing up. "I shall pick you up in about three hours. I trust you will rest well." He offered his tail for a brief shaking, then left. It was obvious that he liked Manning personally but had given up expecting anything that would help the situation.

Manning stretched out on the bed and went to sleep. He had a hunch that there might be little sleep between now and the election and he might as well get what he could.

III

Manning Draco was waiting in the hotel room when Xelia Zon came back that evening. He had awakened earlier and had dinner in his room so that he was ready to go. They went down (Xelia insisted it was up) and climbed into the Regulusian's car.

After a short drive through the city streets, Xelia stopped before an ornate private home. A formally-attired Regulusian butler met them at the door and conducted them to the elevator. They dropped down some ten floors where they were met by another servant. He led them through a number of well-appointed rooms and out into a splendid underground garden. It was filled with strange, beautiful flowers and shrubs and had piped-in sunlight.

The party was well under way, the guests being almost exclusively Regulusians. While he was not openly insulted, it soon became obvious that most of those present were anti-Terran. There were only a few who were friends of Xelia and were consequently friendly toward him.

Almost as soon as they'd entered the garden, Manning had noticed a group at one end of the garden. There was a creature in the center of the group, towering over them, who was undoubtedly the Acruxian. He guessed that Xelia had also caught sight of them, for they were slowly working toward that end of the garden.

They had just stopped a passing servant and snared two drinks from his tray, and were walking on toward the one group, when Manning felt a hand on his arm. "Well," said a husky voice, "this is a pleasant surprise."

Manning looked around, then did a double-take. At first glance, he thought she was a Terran. It was only when he looked much closer 

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