Knave in Hand

Humans and Tocks didn't mix all that well on Haven IV. People found Tocks a bit snake-like for their tastes, and the Tocks in turn were disturbed by the mysterious tendency toward violence. Still, things werer peaceful enought—until the sacred Tock crown jewels disappeared. Tocks didn't even have a word for theft; the concept was unknown. But they called in the head of th esmall human colony on Haven IV to express, very wuietly, their confidence that the unthinkable incident would be remedied. Soon. There was only one man to call under the circumstances. Gerald Knave was rumored to be arrogant, expensive, and dangerous, but Haven IV bit the bullet: Knave came, he cost plenty, he offended everyone. Before his job was done, he alone would stand between the peaceful folk of Haven IV and an inter-space war of annihilation.