"Maybe they were just murdered," Manning murmured, going back to reading the reports.

"Not unless they were murdered by outsiders," Xelia said. "We have no crime of any sort on Regulus. There has never been a murder committed by a Regulusian in the history of our race."

"Really?" Manning said, momentarily interested. "No wonder you have trouble fitting into the Federation." He bent over the reports again.

There was nothing in them that Xelia hadn't already told him. Dtilla Raishelle had made speeches and gone to political parties and he had made three visits to the Achernarian Ambassador. The rest of the time he had stayed in the house he'd purchased.

"I had hoped," Manning said as they handed the reports back, "that I'd find some reference to that piece of luggage Dtilla had with him tonight. I wonder if he carries it with him every time he goes out."

"He's had it every time I've seen him, but that doesn't cover all his activities," Xelia said. He looked at his friend, the official.

"The ones who made these reports," the official said, "are not on duty tonight. You might return tomorrow and ask them, if you like."

Manning nodded and turned away. Xelia Zon joined him and they left the building.

"Why are you so interested in the Acruxian's luggage?" Xelia asked.

"Because he was lying about why he had it with him," Manning said. "I'm sure of that. I think he offered a story which he thought I would be willing to accept. Therefore, the luggage must in some way be important to his scheme, whatever it is."

"If you think it important," Xelia said, "perhaps we could trick him away from it long enough to let a Central Security locksmith get at it. We have some clever ones."

"Pick the lock, Xelia? I thought you Regulusians knew nothing about crime."

"It would be no crime, done by an official in the name of Security," Xelia explained. "Shall we try it?"

Manning shook his head. "It would only make him step up his schedule if it failed—and I'm sure it would. I believe that your locksmiths are clever, but I understand that Acruxians have a way with locks which is unmatched in the universe. They have a small tendril on one tentacle which permits 

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