Peter took the aged clipping and read it. His hands shook and the clipping fell apart.
"No matter," smiled Hedgerly. "Its job is done."
"Is done?" demanded Peter.
"Of course. Marie Baker will be at your apartment this evening."
"I'll scratch her bald-headed," threatened Joan.
Hedgerly shook his head. "No, you won't," he said positively. Then he looked down at Peter and his eyes ran over the experimental setup. "It won't work," he said to Peter. "You're on the wrong track. It is impossible to accelerate and focus and direct the neutron. The neutron, possessing no charge, is therefore unaffected by either magnetic or electrostatic fields."
Peter looked up quietly. "I've evidence to the contrary," he said. "We believe that the neutron does possess a charge: that it is theoretically impossible for anything to exist without some charge, though the charge may be exceedingly minute. We believe the neutron to be possessed of a charge of plus or minus—depending upon the moment of intrinsic angular momentum—ten to the minus fifteenth electrostatic units less than that of the electron. Therefore—"
"You will find that the experimental evidence you get is impure," said Hedgerly. "You'll save time if you abandon this project."
"Indeed? And what should I take up?"