Bates raised an eyebrow. "And how do you know you'll always be given the straight dope?"
The guide looked indignant. "The Oracle always tells the truth."
"Yes," Bates persisted, "but how do you know?"
"The Oracle told us so, of course. Now why don't you go in and find out for yourselves? We'll wait out here. We don't have anything to ask him."
Bates and Farnum went into the building and found themselves in a small, pleasant room furnished with comfortable chairs and sofas.
"Good morning," said a well-modulated voice. "I have been expecting you."
"You are the Oracle?" asked Farnum, looking around curiously.
"The name that the people of this planet have given me translates most accurately as 'Oracle'," said the voice.
"But are you actually an Oracle?"