"Might be useful for metallurgical work, and so forth," mused Don. "Nine-nines iron is valuable and almost impossible—and it takes a gadget that destroys value to make it. Nice paradox, that."
"Another thing," said Wes. "We re-transmit the pure iron and heterodyne the impulses into other elements. We can start with iron and end up with any of the other elements, merely by introducing the proper heterodyning impulse."
"That's not bad."
"I've got several elements that start off where the Periodic Chart ends. The boys in the chemistry lab are investigating the properties of Venium, Channium, Frankine, Ardenium, and Farrelline right now."
"Who picked the names?" grinned Don.
"Arden."
"O.K., Wes, but keep looking for that non-reproducible substance."
"I will. It may be—"
Farrell was interrupted by the insistent call on the station intercom for Don Channing. Don went to his office to find the Terran beam awaiting his presence. He lifted the phone and identified himself.
"This is P. L. Hughes of the Interplanetary Criminal Office," came the answer.