"I don't know what you're talking about, Mannion."
"The hell you don't! You don't know anything about the hypnomech you used to block my mind and—"
Dan ducked suddenly as a spurt of energy from the proton-gun in Dubrow's hand seared through the wall behind him. Dubrow was aiming the gun, readying to fire again—
And Judge Harkness rose from the bench and hurled a heavy law-book at him.
It struck Dubrow squarely on the side of the head; the bolt of proton-force squirted toward the ceiling and Dan leaped forward.
He crashed into Dubrow and knocked the tall officer sprawling; the proton-gun clattered to the floor. Dubrow squirmed and kicked but Dan's fists thundered against his body.
"Hypnotize me, will you? And try to frame me for that mutiny? I'll—"
"All right, Mannion," a calm voice said from somewhere above him. "You can get off him now. He's out cold."
Judge Harkness faced Dan and Virginia Mannion. "I don't understand why you didn't speak up, son."