,
invisible cloak. You couldn't fool an audience with that, it's too
commonplace. If Rance Rankin tried--"

I gripped her. "Don't ramble, Venza! You saw me?"

"Yes. My stateroom door was open. I was sitting with a cigarette. I
saw the purser in the smoking room. He was visible from--"

"Wait! Venza, that prowler went through the smoking room!"

"I know he did. I could hear him."

"Did the purser hear him?"

"Of course. The purser looked up, followed the sound with his gaze. I
thought that was queer. He never made a move. And then you came along
and he acted innocent. Why? What's going on, that's what I want to
know?"

I held my breath. "Venza, where did the prowler run to? Can you--"

She whispered calmly, "Into A20. I saw the door open and close. I even
thought I could see his blurred outline." She added, "Why should
George Prince be sneaking around with you after him? And the purser
acting innocent? And who is this George Prince, anyway?"

The huge Martian, Miko, with his sister Moa came strolling along the
deck. They nodded as they passed us.

I whispered, "I can't explain anything now. But you're right, Venza:
there is something going on. Listen! Whatever you learn--whatever you
encounter which looks unusual--will you tell me? I ... well, I do
trust you. Really I do, but the whole thing isn't mine to tell."

The somber pools of her eyes were shining. "You are very lovable,
Gregg. I won't question you." She was trembling with excitement.
"Whatever it is, I want to be in on it. Here's something I can tell
you now. We've two high class gold leaf gamblers aboard. Do you know
that?"

"Who are they?"

"Shac and Dud Ardley. Every detective in Greater New York knows them.
They had a wonderful game with that Englishman, Sir Arthur, this
morning. Stripped him of half a pound of eight-inch leaves--a neat
little stack. A crooked game, of course. Those fellows are more
nimble-fingered than Rance Rankin ever dared to be!"

I sat staring at her. She was a mine of information, this girl.

"And Gregg, I tried my charms on Shac and Dud. Nice men, but dumb.
Whatever's going on, they're not in it. They wanted to know what kind
of a ship this was. Why? Because Shac has a cute little eavesdropping
microphone of his own. He had it working last night. He overheard
George Prince and that giant Miko arguing about the Moon!"

I gasped, "Venza! Softer--"

Against all propriety of this public deck she pretended to drape
h