For ordinary purposes, this equation is quite easy to use, but it is another matter to use it to discover the contents of a mysterious box and the purpose for which it is intended. Figuring n! (not to mention (n-k) and k!) is quite a chore even for Manning Draco.

"All right," Xelia said glumly, turning his car around.

To Manning's unpracticed eye, the house to which they went looked exactly like the one they had gone to the day before. Again they were met by a butler who escorted them to an elevator and when they reached the lower floor they were met by another servant who led them to a garden with piped-in sunlight. There seemed to be the same crowd there, clustered in little groups. He caught a glimpse of Velmar Shonda, who interrupted her conversation to stare at him with her searching golden eyes, and at one end there was Dtilla Raishelle, surrounded by admiring Regulusians.

The Acruxian caught sight of them as they entered the garden and waved a tentacle in their direction. There was nothing in his manner to indicate that he had made an attempt to eliminate Manning and had failed.

"He seems to have taken last night's failure calmly," Xelia said, keeping his voice down. "You know, I was sure that he'd try again before this."

Manning shook his head. "According to the encyclotape, Acruxian psychology doesn't work that way. They're very apt to make some clever attempt at assassination over the slightest suspicion that you're an enemy, but if that fails—and it doesn't very often—they believe it constitutes a judgment from their gods and then they sit back and wait for you to make the next move. When you do, they're usually more than ready and they seldom fail on the second try—which then proves that the gods have changed their mind. So Dtilla is waiting to see what I intend to do. If you'll go make the announcement, I'll stroll over and try to oblige him."

Leaving Xelia, Manning strolled across the garden, being sure to give wide berth to Velmar. He moved leisurely, trying to time his movements according to Xelia's progress.

"May your day be fulfilled," the Acruxian called out as Manning drew near.

"And yours," Manning returned politely. Glancing around, he saw Xelia and another Regulusian, who was obviously the host, going to a small stand in the garden. Manning thrust his way through the group that stood around Dtilla Raishelle. As he offered his hand, he glanced down and 

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