"I am here asking your advice."
"What is he doing now?"
"Attempting to convert his machine to a device that will transfer knowledge from one brain to another. He desires that he gain the governor's place as soon as possible."
"He wants the next step to come at once," mused the Student.
"As his psychologist—and number four of all—I know when the next step will take place. I know, or can predict fairly well how Wan Nes Stan's next move will manifest itself. Were I of his mental caliber to five percent, I would block it!"
"Along that road lies danger—cease following that thought!"
"I shall, immediately."
"Wan Nes Stan has obtruded his philosophy upon you already, Len Dor Vale. The next step will take place soon enough that no replacement of you will be necessary, that you know. Completion of his investigations on the conversion of the mind machine will bring about the next step—as you predict—sooner than it would if he were not so single-minded in his purpose."
"Why was Wan Nes Stan permitted to proceed?"
"Every man gets his chance. Every man must be permitted his opportunity to excel as long as he does no irreparable harm."