“The Christian Religion and Symbolic Logic, by Bishop K. F. Costin—
“The Handbook of Space Medicine—”
As Captain Quill called out the names of the books and put them into the packing case he’d brought, Mike marked them down—while something began ticking in the back of his mind.
“Item,” said Captain Quill, “one crucifix.” He paused. “Beautifully carved, too.” He put it into the packing case.
“Excuse me, Captain,” said Mike suddenly. “Let me take a look at something, will you?” Excitedly, he leaned over and took some of the books out, looking at the pages of each one.
“I’ll be damned,” he said after a moment. “Or I should be—for being such a stupid idiot!”
Captain Quill narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about, Mister Gabriel?”
“I’m not sure yet, Captain,” Mike hedged. “May I borrow these three books?” He held them up in his hands.
“May I be so bold as to ask why, Mister Gabriel?”
“I just want to look at them, sir,” Mike said. “I’ll return them within a few hours.”