informative list. These are just names, but we can match them against the spaceport list and the hotel list and discover the home worlds."

"Something occurred to me while I was at the hotel. A new shipload of tourists arrived this morning. Some of them might be carrying Perfection of Joy vouchers."

"True," said Scharde.

"I'll mention the matter to Bodwyn Wook;

maybe he'll want to look into the possibility. For now, let's compare our lists."

Upon leaving the Old Arbor Glawen went directly to the Bureau B offices, where he was intercepted by Hilda, the thin and astringent secretary. Hilda distrusted all Clattucs for what she felt to be their "fleering and domineering" habits; she regarded Glawen with particular suspicion, since to the typical Clattuc qualities he added another dimension of crafty and almost sinister politeness which could only be contrived. No question about it! Glawen was a master of intrigue; how else had he progressed so far and so fast in the good opinion of the Supervisor? Therefore, to Glawen's request that he be immediately allowed access to Bodwyn Wook, Hilda stated that Bodwyn Wook did not wish to be disturbed, and had issued orders to this effect--which, in a certain sense, was the case.

After Glawen had cooled his heels for an hour, Bodwyn Wook looked into the outer office and saw Glawen sitting in a chair.

Bodwyn Wook jerked to a halt.

"Glawen! Why are you sitting so placidly? Have you nothing better to do?"

"I have indeed, sir, but your secretary prefers that I sit here in this chair."

Bodwyn Wook raked Hilda with a cold stare.

"What foolishness is this? Surely you must know that Glawen is to be sent in the moment he shows himself?"

"Your orders were explicit."

"No matter! Interpret them with a more flexible intelligence henceforth! You have wasted everyone's time! Come, Glawen."

Bodwyn Wook led the way into his office and dropped into his great black chair.

"What have you learned?"

Glawen placed three sheets of paper on the desk.

"My father and I sorted through records at the spaceport, the hotel and the ferry. These are the names which match up with the three excursions."

Bodwyn Wook studied the lists.

"The first party would be this group from Natrice: Sir Mathor Borph and Sir Lonas Medlyn from Halcyon City; also SS. Guntil, SS. Foum, SS. Mobile, SS. Koldach, SS. Rolp and SS. Buler from Lanklands.

SS. ?

These honorifics mystify me. What does "SS." indicate?"

"I don't know."

Bodwyn Wook put the Natrice sheet aside.

"The second party:

six folk from Tassadero, which I believe to be a planet of Zonk's Star. Zonk, of course, was Zab Zonk the Pirate, infamous up and down the Wisp. Hmm. I see no reference to Sibil."

"We think that she might be "S. Devella of Pogan's Point."" "These other men derive from Lutwiler Country. What signifies this word in parentheses: "Zubenites'?"

"I looked up Tassadero in the reference guide. Fexelburg is the spaceport: a 'modern, progressive city," according to the guide. Lutwiler Country is out on the Eastern Steppe, and is populated by members of the Zubenite sect."

Bodwyn Wook looked at the third list.

"These are the gentlemen from Soum, whom we have in custody. There seem to be no surprises here." Bodwyn Wook put the lists aside and leaned back in his chair.

"We seem to make some small progress. Let me explain my thinking. The excursions depend upon three elements: Titus Pompo, the customers and the organizer, sometimes known as Ogmo Enterprises. He is now the only unknown element in the case, but we cannot let it rest there. He is possibly the worst scoundrel of the lot;

also, he may well be someone already known to us. I will not, at this time, hazard any guesses or put forward any names, not even in idle speculation. Suffice to say, he must be tracked down, identified and taken into custody. What do you say to that?"

"Nothing, sir. I agree."

"Quite so." Bodwyn Wook raised his eyes to the ceiling.

"I

will point out that, in order to conduct an investigation, one needs investigators. Your name has been mentioned in such a connection. You would be required to travel off-world, to Natrice, Tassadero and Soum, and on each of these worlds make appropriate inquiries. Does the program interest you?"

"Yes, sir."

"This person--for lack of a better name I shall call him Ogmo-has certainly left traces. He has dealt with travel agencies and issued a brochure. Money must have been paid to the travel agencies, then transferred to Ogmo. Such transactions must have left further traces:

all of which, if properly followed, should lead to Ogmo. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Aside from these general points, I can offer no further guidelines. You and your colleague must use your notable ingenuities and develop your own lines of inquiry.

Now, then: do you have questions?"

"Yes, sir, I surely do. You used the word 'colleague." I have already had one bitter experience of working with a colleague, namely Kirdy, and I don't want to repeat the mistake. All in all, I am sure that I can work to belter effect alone."

Bodwyn Wook frowned and cleared his throat.

"I fear that, in this case, we must regretfully give second priority to your personal preferences. For various reasons, all of considerable importance, I think it best that you work with an associate."

Glawen sought for words, framing and discarding a number of remarks, while Bodwyn Wook watched him with owl-like imperturbability. Finally Glawen asked: "And whom do you have in mind as this associate?"

"Working with an associate is not the end of the world," said Bodwyn Wook bluffly.

"Perhaps your previous experience with Kirdy was not fully successful, but we must learn from our mistakes. You will definitely be in charge, and I'm sure that extra eyes, extra hands and the extra force of a keen Wook mind will often prove of value. And as I indicated there are other reasons why the arrangement is important."

"You mean that I must work with Kirdy again?"

"Responsible work is essential to Kirdy's recovery. He must bring his mind down from the clouds and focus it on reality." Bodwyn Wook spoke into his communicator.