"Another useful trick," smiled the Jovian, "of fourth dimensional science. It was a simple matter to reach our instruments into sealed chambers and cut the wires connecting the explosive fuses."
That, young Dr. Lane could see clearly, was quite true. It would be no harder for mechanics working with quadridimensional tools to perform this observation than for a tri-dimensional bank robber to remove the contents of a Flatland safe.
But there was a corollary to this revelation. Gary said slowly, "Then ... then that means you now understand the operation of the hypatomic motor."
The other nodded casually. "Why, yes. And most ingenious, too."
"What do you plan to do with your knowledge?"
"Why," said the Jovian frankly, "I think it would be a very good idea to expose it openly to the races of every solar planet. Earth has held its monopoly on spaceflight long enough. I think, don't you, it's almost time all the worlds were given the right to free and competitive commerce?"
Gary grinned, a warm admiration for this people suffusing him. And:
"I think," he agreed, "you are absolutely right."
All these were interludes. There were others, too: amusing, entertaining, beguiling. Because now, on the eve of what must assuredly be their last and most perilous journey, almost to a last man the argonauts of the Liberty were having a last fling at such pleasures as presented themselves.