"Oh yes, indeed," Mr. Thurwinker replied, hastily, "but I can't stop now. I must impress on you, Captain, the urgency of your ship leaving as soon as possible. Yes, yes it's imperative! And you must remain out of sight. Don't show yourselves under any circumstances! I'll get your passenger now." Without another word, Mr. Thurwinker scurried out of the ship. He turned at the end of the gangway. "Remember Captain, don't let anyone see you. Keep out of sight. Yes indeed, out of sight!" The open-mouthed Captain watched the OCD man scramble down the steps and reappear a moment later carrying a suitcase. He was followed by another man whose hair was also streaming down over his shoulders. The Captain's mouth sagged open an additional half-inch as the strange looking pair entered the ship. Mr. Thurwinker set the bag down and shook hands with his companion. "Good-bye, Mr. Purcell. Have a nice trip home. We all regret seeing you go, yes indeed, regret it very much." He darted out of the ship for the second time. At the end of the gangway, he turned to face the Captain. "Oh yes, Captain. I must tell you! It's imperative--" "I know!" the Captain roared. "And don't worry, Mr. Thurwinker! We're leaving this asylum immediately!" Mr. Thurwinker jumped off the gangway as it began to roll into the big ship. He waved cheerily to his friend just before the port closed. The _Franklin_ began to lift almost at once. * * * * * Sam Purcell brushed his hair out of his face and extended a friendly hand to the Captain. "How do you do, Captain. I'm Sam Purcell, your new passenger." Captain Webster stared at the outstretched hand as though it were a specimen from an anatomical laboratory. "Procyon IV's gain is my loss!" he snarled. As the Captain stomped away, Sam turned his hand over to see if anything was wrong with it. "Unfriendly cuss," he observed to the spaceman beside him. The spaceman smiled. "Just be thankful he isn't your boss." Sam nodded. "I see what you mean," he replied. "Shall I take your bag to your stateroom?" the spaceman asked. "I'd be much obliged," Sam answered. "Is there a barber on this tub? I want to get rid of this mop as soon as I can." "Yes sir," the spaceman said. "But wouldn't you like to go to your cabin first?" Sam smiled. "No. I've been dreaming about this haircut for ages. Just tell me where my cabin is and take me to the barber shop!" The spaceman nodded and picked up Sam's bag. Sam followed him down the companionway to the barber shop. "Your stateroom is L-14, sir," the spaceman said. "It's the last cabin on the left at the end of this companionway." "Thank you," Sam replied as he stepped into the shop. The barber closed the book he was reading and jumped up. "Yes sir. What can--" He broke off in mid-sentence and gawked stupidly. "I don't want a manicure," Sam chuckled as he slid into the chair.