The stainless steel rat

Harry Harrison
Walker and Company New York
Copyright 1961 by HARRY HARRISON
Portions of this book appeared, in somewhat different form, in Astounding Science Fiction for August 1957 and Analog Science Fact & Fiction for April 1960.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Publisher.
All the characters and events portrayed in this story are fictitious.
Published in the United States of America in 1970 by the Walker Publishing Company, Inc.
Published simultaneously in Canada by The Ryerson Press, Toronto.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 74-103005
Printed in the United States of America.
For Hans Stefan Santesson
When the office door opened suddenly I knew the game was up. It had been a money-maker—but it was all over. As the cop walked in I sat back in the chair and put on a happy grin. He had the same somber expression and heavy foot that they all have—and the same lack of humor. I almost knew to the word what he was going to say before he uttered a syllable.