into the seat next to
him. Opening a magazine and holding it fairly high before his face while
apparently reading it, Hanlon started talking in low but penetrant
tones.

"Don't look up, Mr. Abrams, but listen to me. You may or may not know
it, but there's a plot against your life. I managed to delay it
yesterday, but they intended getting you before we reach port. Now I
have a plan. I earnestly beg you to listen and work with me."

The Simonidean had given a slight start when he heard Hanlon's first
words, but he had been well-trained in a hard school, and in no other
way had even shown that he heard. Now, however, he spoke as guardedly as
Hanlon. "Who is trying to kill me?"

"A man named Panek, but someone's behind him that I don't know. But the
question is: will you work with me?"

"Yes, if I can."

Abandoning his attempts at secrecy, Hanlon started laughing out loud, as
though at something he was reading. As Abrams looked up in surprise,
Hanlon leaned over and held out his magazine in front of the Simonidean,
pointing at it.

"Play up now," he said softly, and the diplomat, quick on the up-take,
pretended to look at what Hanlon was showing him, then began laughing in
turn. Thereafter, the ice broken as far as any on-lookers might know,
the two talked naturally as shipboard acquaintances might do.

"Why," Abrams really looked at Hanlon for the first time, "you're the
young man who saved my life on Terra, aren't you?"

"Yes, but keep it quiet. I want us to stick together more or less the
rest of the day, as though we'd just met and liked each other. Then have
dinner together. Do you have your own servant?"

"My valet, yes, and he is absolutely trustworthy. Why?"

"While we're eating I'll appear to put something into your drink while
you're not looking. A few moments later you'll act as though you were
suddenly taken ill, and go to your room. Have your valet later let the
word out that you're very ill, and send word by space-video for an
ambulance to meet the ship. Just before landing, let him say you've
died. The ambulance can take you wherever it's natural your body would
be taken, and you keep under cover for some time, until I notify you.
Can do?"

"Hmmm." The other thought rapidly but cogently for some minutes. "With a
few minor variations, yes. But why? ... oh, I see. You want to get in
with the gang, is that it?" When Hanlon nodded Abrams continued, "you're
playing a dangerous game, but that's what