d, cold and ruthless--a pure killer type. Hanson sensed he was
one of those men who have such a will to power that the lives and rights
of others are held cheaply, contemptuously. The kind who, if another
gets in his way, removes him ... but carefully, lest his own
highly-valuable skin be put in jeopardy. If he could get some one else
to do the dirty work, so much the better. Such conscienceless killers
were, Hanlon knew, usually arrant cowards.

There was someone on this ship who was in this man's way--of that Hanlon
felt sure. The killer was determined to destroy this other the first
chance he got. His mind was now weighing chances and possible
opportunities--and Hanlon read and learned.

Yes, this must be one of those "interesting people" that unknown SS
tipster back on Terra had mentioned. Was the victim another? Probably.
For Hanlon had not yet read any thoughts in this killer's mind about any
confederates.

Hanlon kept close watch on this man and his mind, and picked up many
other stray bits of information, including his name, Panek. None seemed
of too much immediate importance regarding the matter at hand. Yet they
gave the Secret Service man a fairly good picture of the assassin's
personality, when pieced all together.

Suddenly, and but a barely passing whisper of thought, Hanlon caught the
concept that the intended victim's death was necessary to the coup
"they" were planning on Simonides.

Hanlon was instantly alerted by that planet-name. Perhaps this was a
definite lead for him. He strained to get more. The killer thought
occasionally of a man he called "The Boss", but not the name of that
dignitary, nor his actual position--politically, socially, economically,
or otherwise.

The SS man fumed inwardly because he could not get a clear picture of
that "Boss." This murderer did not have a visual type of mind, darn it.
He didn't see clearly in pictorial terms any of the people or scenes
about which he thought.

Hanlon had been gradually impressed, though, with the realization that
this man was very much afraid of his boss. There was a mental shiver
every time thought of his employer entered his mind. There was something
about a previous failure, and what would undoubtedly happen unless it
was done now, but Hanlon couldn't get enough of that to make any sense
to him.

Again Panek began thinking, though very sketchily, about "Sime", as he
called Simonides, and the "plot" that was being hatched there. Han