“That is hardly the attitude of the modern scientist towards his discoveries and his work,” said Wolfe stiffly.
Mart shrugged. “It’s my attitude. So now you know: The basic principle of the Nagle Rocket is completely unprotected. It is right there, lying wide open for you and your engineers to discover for yourselves. And when you do discover it you can build kites or liners to Mars.”
Wolfe made no move but continued to stare across the desk into the eyes of Martin Nagle. “You have a price,” said Wolfe. “What is your figure?”
“Yes,” Mart nodded slowly. “I have a price. But again, unfortunately, it is as unconventional as the rest of my attitude in this matter. It so happens that it is not denotable by figures.”
Wolfe picked up his brief case then and rose abruptly to his feet. “I repeat, I do not understand you, Dr. Nagle. You have either an unmitigated conceit regarding your own abilities or you take the rest of us for fools. I assure you, however, that I will take you at your own word. I shall discover for myself whatever principle underlies your toy, and make whatever utilization I care to. But it would seem far more fitting if you exhibited a willingness to co-operate in the exploitation of this discovery — or at least presented a valid reason for not doing so.”
Mart shrugged as he accompanied his visitor to the door. “It’s your baby. Let’s see you carry it off.”
Upon opening the office with Kenneth Berkeley, Mart had intensified his contacts with fellow researchers and former students who now held responsible positions in nearly every major industry. His contacts led as well into every Government laboratory employing specialists even remotely connected with basic physical research. As be expected, there began to be responses from these various points of communication. Among the first of these was one from Jennings out on the West Coast. Jennings had been with them on Levitation.
“The news of the Nagle and Berkeley enterprises,” he wrote, “makes me yearn for the good old days of Project Levitation. I didn’t know anything could be as foundationless as that project was when it started, but I believe you’ve topped it in that respect. The boys out here keep telling me you’ve gone off your rocker for sure, and I keep telling them you haven’t. When you get around to it I would appreciate some evidence to back up my defense.
“P.S. Yes, the Nagle Rockets are getting so thick in the air over our subdivisions out here that midair collisions are not infrequent, with resulting claims and counterclaims of damages from one small fry to another. Have you any legal recommendations?
“P.P.S. One corner of our physics lab was blown out the other day. Nobody got hurt, but some people are awfully mad. Seems to be some strong factions developing. There are those who would like to throw you in the clink, those who suggest you retire to the nearest booby hatch, and those who swear by all the windings of our local cyclotron that they're going to figure out just what you’ve built into these gadgets. Also had a note from Keyes advising me to stay firmly shut up regarding Project L. I trust I may be among the first to receive enlightenment.”