"Since this machine transmits energy, I ask that you rule that it fall under that classification. I rest my case."
Hamilton nodded glumly. Then he fixed Tinken with an ice-cold stare. "Have you anything to offer that may possibly be of any interest to me?"
Tinken shook his head. He was still stunned.
"I shall deliver my ruling in the morning. I am overwrought and must rest. Adjourned until tomorrow morning."
The only sounds in the room were the tinkle of glassware and the occasional moan of utter self-dislike. Channing sat with his glass in his hand and made faces as he lifted it. Franks matched his mood. Both of them were of the type that drinks only when feeling good because it makes them feel better. When they drank while feeling low, it made them feel lower, and at the present time they were about as far down as they could get. They knew it; they took the liquor more as a local anaesthetic than anything else. Arden, whose disappointment was not quite as personal as theirs, was not following them drink for drink, but she knew how they felt and was busying herself with glass, ice, and bottle as they needed it.
It was hours since the final letdown in the court. They knew that they could appeal the case, and probably after a hard fight they would win. It might be a year or so before they did, and in the meantime they would lose the initial control over the matter transmitter. They both felt that having the initial introduction in their hands would mean less headache than having Terran Electric exploit the thing to the bitter end as quickly as possible.
The fact of sunrise—something they never saw on Venus Equilateral—did not interest them one bit. It grew light outside, and as the first glimmerings of sunrise came, a knock on their door came also.
"Mice," hissed Walt.
"S'nock on door."
"Mice knocking on door?"