going to give up this vacation and turn right around
here in space and go back home you're crazy. If you go back you'll go
back alone!"

Alice whirled and ran to the door. Mel ran after her, but she was
through the door and was melting into the moving throng by the time he
reached the door. He took a step to follow, then halted. He couldn't
drag her forcibly back into the stateroom. Maybe she'd return in a few
minutes to pack her bags. He went back in the room and closed the door.

* * * * *

Even as he did so he knew that he was guessing wrong. Alice would be
matching him in a game of nerves. She'd go on to the other ship,
expecting him to pack the bags and follow. He sat down on the bed and
put his head in his hands for a moment. A faint shudder passed through
the ship and he heard the hollow ring of clashing metal. The unknown
ship had made contact with the Martian Princess. Their airlocks were
being mated now.

From the porthole he could see the incredible mass of the ship. He
crossed the room and pressed the curtains aside. His impression had been
right. The ship _was_ black. Black, nameless, and blind. No insignia or
portholes were visible anywhere on the hull within his range of vision.

He didn't know what he was going to do, but he knew above all else that
he wasn't going to board that ship. He paced the floor telling himself
it was a stupid, neurotic apprehension that filled his mind, that the
great Connemorra Lines could not be involved in any nefarious acts
involving five thousand people--or even one person. They couldn't afford
such risk.

He couldn't shake it. He was certain that, no matter what the cost, he
was not going to board that black ship.

He looked about the stateroom. He couldn't remain here. They'd certainly
find him. He had to hide somewhere. He stood motionless, staring out the
porthole. There was no place he could hide with assurance inside the
ship.

But what about outside?

His thoughts crumpled in indecision as he thought of Alice. Yet whatever
the black ship meant, he could help no one if he went aboard. He had to
get back to Earth and try to find out what it was all about and alert
the authorities. Only in that way could he hope to help Alice.

* * * * *

He opened the stateroom door cautiously and stepped out. The corridor
was filled with hurrying passengers, carrying hand luggage, laughing
with each other in