Pell said somberly, "That is a serious accusation."
"Old Joe died today as a result of the chloroforming and beating. Before he died he tuned in the ceremony on the visaphone. He identified this man as the one who beat and chloroformed him. He died soon after. His heart couldn't stand the excitement."
Pell looked at Sam. "What have you to say?"
"Would you believe a wild tale like that? Hearsay testimony from a dead man? It's simply an invention."
"Invention?" It was one of the Master Miners. "Why, Hawkins proposed you for your membership."
Ned Hawkins said raspingly, "If it is all hearsay, I suppose you won't object to a search of your ship. The Asteroid jewel that was stolen is probably there."
The pattern was too clear to Sam. It was of course a frame, a perfect frame, if the jewel had been planted aboard the Wanderer. They would find other interesting things, too. The super-drive of the ship would be as useful to a thief as to a Terran Justice man.
They found the jewel carelessly hidden in the Wanderer's upholstery.
Sam said, "If you will put us both under the mind-probe, you will learn the truth."
Pell frowned at him. "I know from my own experience that the mind-probe is worthless. I was convicted once by a mind-probe trial. No, we will have a simple trial; we will try you after the fashion of older times. Verbal testimony, evidence, and a jury of Master Miners. We will try you at once. Justice is swift here in the Belt."