_It was Mallison's strangest assignment. The weird little
professor wanted to go to Egypt. That meant a trip back to
Earth so far as Mallison was concerned. But the professor
pointed to a distant star and Mallison wondered: "Who moved
Egypt?"_
[Illustration: Jaws agape, the hideous serpent hung poised above
her slim thigh.]
* * * * *
Mike Mallison and Nicko were in the office when the new clients
entered. A girl and an elderly man. The girl smiled at Mike. Then she
looked at Nicko and a sharp involuntary scream got past her lips.
"It's all right, lady," Mike said. "He won't hurt you. He never
injures a client. Won't you sit down?"
Nicko wasn't offended. He was used to women reacting that way at first
sight of him. In fact, the hideous little Martian misfit had caused
even strong men to turn pale.
The elderly man was also staring but with more clinical interest
than horror. He turned his eyes on Mike and said, "I am Professor
Arnold Brandon. This is my daughter, Doree."
"I'm Mike Mallison." He indicated with a nod. "This is my assistant,
Nicko."
Nicko grinned, thus baring his tusks and adding new hideousness to his
face. He waved his four arms and said, "I'm delighted to make your
acquaintances. I hope your trip to Outer Port was not too tiring."
Nicko's tones were bell-like--his diction perfect. The girl gasped.
The man blinked, then turned again to Mike. "I hope you received our
electrogram."
"Yes, but it was a little vague. It merely said you would arrive at
Outer Port as of this date."
"Quite. We wish to charter your ship for a cruise."
Mike considered. The _Space Queen_ was at liberty but he wasn't sure
about these two. Other than the fact that the man was old, the girl
gray-eyed, slim, and damned pretty, he knew nothing about them. They
certainly didn't look like big game hunters.
"For what destination?"