in such
matters. But we can now take passage on the same ship as your
prisoners--"

"But, my friend, you have not yet seen the preserve. I assure you that
_this_ time there shall be no trouble. We have several days yet before
you must return to your ship--"

The captain of the _Queen_ held up his hand. "Nothing would give me
greater pleasure than to inspect the Zoboru preserve, sir--next year. As
it is, my holiday is over and the _Queen_ is waiting for us on Xecho.
Also, permit me to send you some tapes dealing with the newest types of
flitters--guaranteed against flight failures."

"Yes, guaranteed," Tau added guilelessly, "not to break down, lose
course, or otherwise disrupt a pleasant excursion."

The Chief Ranger threw back his head and his deep-chested laughter was
echoed from the heights above them. "Very well, Captain. Your mail run
will bring you back to Xecho at intervals. Meanwhile I shall study your
sales tapes concerning the non-expendable flitters. But you _shall_
visit Zoboru--and pleasantly, very pleasantly, I assure you, Medic Tau!"

"I wonder," Tau muttered and Dane heard. "Just now the quiet of deep
space is a far, far more entrancing proposition!"

+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| Transcriber's Notes |
| |
| |
| One copyright symbol was replaced with "(c)". |
| The repetition "too too" and the writing of the word |
| "steppingstones" without hyphen is as in the original. |
| |
| The following typos have been corrected. |
| |
| Typo Correction |
| |
| breath breathe |
| an on |
| Yes. sir! Yes, sir! |
| Terran Terra |
| visiting; visiting. |
| Terran Terra