"You speak my language, too," Dtilla Raishelle exclaimed. His voice indicated pleasure, but the suspicion in his eyes deepened.

"Just that one sentence," Manning said. "My father was once space-wrecked near your home and I guess he picked up those few things which he taught me."

Once more he felt the Acruxian probe his surface thought, but he was prepared for it and the memory there was just as he said. The Acruxian suddenly relaxed, although there was still a touch of suspicion in his eyes. Just enough, Manning hoped. He didn't want to precipitate a contest with the Acruxian, but he did want him to be enough on guard so that he might later make a move which would help trap him.

It was then that Manning noticed the unusually large piece of luggage which sat on the ground beside Dtilla's feet. It was at least three and a half feet long and probably two feet high. It was made of some shining metallic plastic. There were tentacle-loops along the top for easy carrying.

"What's that?" Manning asked. "You're not leaving, are you—just when everyone says your election is a sure thing?"

"No," Dtilla Raishelle said. He hesitated and Manning could guess that he was trying to decide what sort of answer would be believed. Manning would have liked to try a swift mental probe, but knew it might be a serious mistake. Still, without even trying, he could feel mental waves of hatred which must be coming from the Acruxian. He was sure they weren't coming from the Regulusians or the Aldebaranese—he'd already discovered that she had a natural shield to telepathy. That left only Dtilla, unless—he quickly suppressed the thought for fear the Acruxian might catch it.

"This," Dtilla continued, indicating the box, "contains many of the rare, delicate perfumes of my home planet. I believe they are too subtle for most other life-forms, but they help to make my stay away from home more comfortable." His eye-stalks turned to survey the Regulusians. "I don't believe that I ever offered the details to you, my friends, having only told you that it was a custom of my people. I am sorry if my previous reticence has offended you in any way."

"No, no," exclaimed several Regulusians.

"Well," Manning said, "we mustn't interrupt your conversation with your friends any longer—"

"Think nothing of it," Dtilla Raishelle said, waving his tentacles. It was obvious that he 

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