"Session over what? Don't tell me the bombs have started."
"Visual interference by radio wave compression. Yesterday the Royalty called an immediate special session. There is at present no law to prevent the Christian E. Lodge Corporation from buying the right to tamper with light waves in the home, for advertising purposes or—God knows what other kinds of control."
"I didn't know. I was on duty with Mr. Barger and then no one told me."
"Barger was against it," said Dr. Brooks. "He sold them the device with a set of conditions on its use, but now they're buying the patent outright."
"But—don't they have to wait for him? Barger Electronics is his company."
"No. He's chairman of the board, but any three or more directors can sell the patent. Once it's sold, there will be nothing Congress can do."
"Why?" asked Miss Knox, staring out over the water. Some of the Silvertongue windows had winked out. The others vanished together, leaving only a pale vertical row to mark the fire stairs.
Three bells sounded.
"Your attention please!"—a piping male voice.
Brooks said, "I'll bet it's the Director himself."