Chambers rose from his chair and walked to the window, looked out. After a moment's time, he turned and walked back again, sat down in his chair. Leaning back, he matched his fingertips, his teeth flashing in a grin under his mustache.
"I don't know anything about what's going on,” he said. “I don't even know someone has discovered material energy. That's up to Craven. He has to find it. Both you and Craven work alone. I know nothing about either of you."
Stutsman's jaw closed like a steel trap. “I've always worked alone."
"By the way,” said Chambers, the edge suddenly off his voice, “how are things going in the Jovian confederacy? I trust you left everything in good shape."
"As good as could be expected,” Stutsman replied. “The people are still uneasy, half angry. They still remember Mallory."
"But Mallory,” objected Chambers, “is on a prison ship. In near Mercury now, I believe."
Stutsman shook his head.
"They still remember him. “We'll have trouble out there one of these days."
"I would hate to have that happen,” remarked Chambers softly. “I would regret it very much. I sent you out there to see that nothing happened."
"The trouble out there won't be a flash to this thing you were telling me about,” snapped Stutsman.