Judge Lapworth said: "The Court would like very much to see the internal workings of this device, too. Bailiff, if you will, please."
The bailiff handed him the gadget from the exhibit table.
"How does it open?" asked the judge. He turned to Thompson. "Will the witness please open the box?"
Reluctantly, Thompson thumbed the catch and slid off the top.
The judge took it from him, looked inside, and stared for a long moment.
I had already seen the insides. It was painted white, and there were inked lines running all over the inside, and various pictures—a ball, a pair of dice, a roulette wheel—and some other symbols that I didn't pretend to understand.
Otherwise, the box was empty.