"But Alpha Centauri is so very far away," Mrs. Bernardi sighed. "There wouldn't be much chance of our ever getting back." "Look!" Mortland exclaimed. "The river's branching. Which fork do we take?" * * * * * Jrann-Pttt, who had been dabbling his arms idly in the translucent violet-blue water, withdrew them hastily as nine green eyes, obviously belonging to the same individual, rose to the surface and regarded him with more than casual interest. He consulted his compass. "Left." "Contrarily!" the mosquito-bat suddenly squeaked, pointing a small rod at his companions. "Rightward." There was a stunned silence. "Monster!" Mortland cried in reproach. "You can talk! How could you deceive us like that?" "Can talk," the creature retorted. "Me not intelligent life-form, ha! Who talks last talks best. Have not linguistic facility of inferior life-forms, but can communicate rudely in your language." "Remember," Mortland cautioned, "there are ladies present." "Have been lying low and laughing to self--ha, ha!--at witlessness of lowerly life-forms." "But why?" Mrs. Bernardi demanded distractedly. "Haven't we been kind to you?" "You be likewise well treated in our zoo," it assured her. "All of you. Our zoo finest in Galaxy. And clean, too." "Now really, sir, I must protest--" Professor Bernardi began, trying to extricate a blaster unobtrusively from the pile of gear in which the too-confident terrestrials had cached their weapons. Monster gestured with his rod. "This is lethal weapon. Do not try hindrancing me. Hate damage fine specimens. Captain, go rightward." "Oh, is that so!" Greenfield retorted hotly. "Let me tell you, you--you insect!" "George!" Miss Anspacher clutched his arm. "Do what it says. For my sake, George!" "Oh, all right," he muttered. "Just for you, then. Told you not to trust any of 'em," he went on, reluctantly poling the raft in the ordered direction. "Foreigners!" "Fine zoo," the mosquito-bat insisted. "Very clean. Run with utmost efficientness. Strict visiting hours." * * * * * "And there goes Plan D," the vine said lightly. There was a hint of laughter in its voice. Jrann-Pttt stared at it in consternation. "Are you also from the Alpha Centauri system, sir?" It turned its attention to the mosquito-bat. "Naturally I'm curious to know where I'm going," it explained, "since I seem definitely to be included in your gracious invitation." "Alpha Centauri, hah!" the mosquito-bat snorted. "I from what Earthlets laughingly term Sirius. Alpha Centauri merely little star." "Now see here!" Jrann-Pttt sprang to his feet. Criminal he might be, but he was not going to sit there and have his sun insulted! "Gentlemen! Gentlemen!" Miss Anspacher cried. "No use getting yourself killed, Jrann-Pttt!" "Correctly," Monster approved. "Elementary intelligence displayed. Why damage fine specimens?" _From one prison into another_, the saurian mentalized bitterly.