never once succeeded in
transmitting it."

Clocker released his grip on the front of Barnes's jacket. "You take me
to the president or commissioner or whoever runs this club. Maybe we can
work something out."

"We have a board of directors," Barnes said doubtfully. "But I can't
see--"

"Don't rupture yourself trying. Just take me there and let me do the
talking."

Barnes moved his shoulders resignedly. He led Clocker to the
Administration Building and inside to a large room with paneled walls, a
long, solid table and heavy, carved chairs. The men who sat around the
table appeared as solid and respectable as the furniture. Clocker's
guess was that they had been chosen deliberately, along with the
decorations, to inspire confidence in the customer. He had been in
rigged horse parlors and bond stores and he knew the approach.

* * * * *

Mr. Calhoun, the character with the white beard, was chairman of the
board. He looked unhappily at Clocker.

"I was afraid there would be trouble," he said. "I voted against
accepting you, you know. My colleagues, however, thought that you, as
our first voluntary associate, might indicate new methods, but I fear my
judgment has been vindicated."

"Still, if he knows how extinction can be prevented--" began Dr.
Harding, the one who had given the orientation lecture.

"He knows no such thing," a man with several chins said in an emphatic
basso voice. "Man is the most destructive dominant race we have ever
encountered. He despoiled his own planet, exterminated lower species
that were important to his own existence, oppressed, suppressed,
brutalized, corrupted--it's the saddest chronicle in the Universe."

"Therefore his achievements," said Dr. Harding, "deserve all the more
recognition!"

Clocker broke in: "If you'll lay off the gab, I'd like to get my bet
down."

"Sorry," said Mr. Calhoun. "Please proceed, Mr. Locke."

Clocker rested his knuckles on the table and leaned over them. "I have
to take your word you ain't human, but you don't have to take mine. I
never worried about anybody but Zelda and myself; that makes me human.
All I want is to get along and not hurt anybody if I can help it; that
makes me what some people call the common man. Some of my best friends
are common men. Come to think of it, they all are. They wouldn't want to
get extinct. If we do, it won't be our fault."

Several of the men nodded sympathetic agreement.

"I do