Again came the brief sizzle of corona, the urge of magnetic attraction, and then the blinding flare of light.
Newton reached for the sample.
"No!" said Velikof quickly.
"Why?"
Mangler grunted. "You've been as sloppy as a kid," he sneered. "That sample is probably as hot as it was."
"But you have the right process," said Velikof. "And now I must get going."
Shrugging, Newton took up the tongs, lifted the sample from its place, and thrust it in front of the counter.
The counter was silent.
"Dead!" glowed Newton.