[Libpst-devel] readpst sits idle

[Michael R]

OS: slackware 10.2
boost: 1.45
python: 2.4.3
libpst: 6.53

I have installed boost and libpst and for all appearances 
they appear to work. readpst returns version and help. 
lspst will list the subjects in the .pst archive.

When I try to de-archive the .pst file, 
readpst returns the starting message

   readpst -M -o work/output work/example.pst
   Opening PST file and indexes...

and goes idle with no CPU activity.

Any suggestions?