James H Schmitz's "The Searcher" (novella, thriller, free): Human heroes fight off evil alien

This is mostly a fast moving story, though I found later parts a bit draggy.

Story summary.

Two private detectives arrive on a human world called Mezmiali, on trail of a smuggling ring. Suspects include administration of the government depot that is supposed to guard & analyze stray relics picked up all over the galaxy. A deal will soon be spoiled by detectives. A deal involving an alien communications device human explorers had picked up.

Also "goyal", the alien owner of the device, has come to take it back. He's a energy being & a swarm being too.

So our super-resourceful detectives have to outmaneuver both the smugglers & the alien.

Collected in.

1. James H Schmitz's "The Hub: Dangerous Territory".

Fact sheet.

First published: Analog, February 1966.
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Rating: B.
Among the stories from Astounding/Analog issues edited by John Campbell.
Related: Stories of James H Schmitz.