"I know, Keg. No hard feelings."
"Of course," said Keg wistfully. "We'll be across a barrel if you win, too. But the barrel will be less painful with you holding the handles than if Terran Electric holds them. The same offer goes for you, too."
"O.K.," nodded Channing. He turned and entered the courtroom.
Tinkin called Don Channing to the stand as his first witness. Don explained the function of Venus Equilateral, the job of interplanetary communications, and their work along other lines of endeavor. Then Tinkin said to the judge:
"I have here a glass cube, three inches on a side. This cube was transmitted from Venus Equilateral to the Lunar Station. I offer it as Exhibit A. It was a test-sample, and as you see, it emerged from the test absolutely perfect."
The judge took the cube, examined it with some interest, and then set it down on the desk.
"Now," said Tinkin, "if you do not object, I should like to present a demonstration of the matter transmitter. May I?"
Hamilton brightened slightly. "Permission is granted."
"Thank you." Tinkin made motions and the technicians came in with the two cabinets.
"This isn't good," said Kingman's assistant to the lawyer. "The old goat looks interested."