"Put up your guns, Nathan. Can't you see that old Tom here is just having a little fun? Why, he wouldn't hurt a fly."
Nathan smiled thinly. "I hope the gentleman on the floor wasn't having a little fun, too. I'm afraid he won't be able to have it now."
Tompkins said sourly, "I thought you said Firebird and this young fool had been killed on the way here."
Tabor shrugged his shoulders. "That's the way news is here in these parts of the System. Nothing reliable. Everybody's liars."
He turned to Nathan. "There was some report about you and Firebird having gotten into trouble and I guess the story got exaggerated. I'm plenty glad to see you safe. I came in the Sunbeam to take you back to Venus."
"How did you know I was here?"
"The Corsair was seen leaving. I knew you'd be aboard."
"Why?"
Tabor shrugged. "I saw how Firebird twisted your father around her little finger until he got wise. I knew you'd never be able to kill her or resist her. She's a witch. Stay aboard the Sunbeam tonight and we'll start back for Venus in the morning."
"I'm not going back. I'm staying aboard the Corsair."