The big workshop behind the house had its doors open, and Carlin was surprised to see that the cavernous room held a well-equipped atomic-engineering laboratory. In the center he glimpsed a towering, massive machine whose inner mechanism was concealed by a cylindrical metal cover. Before he could investigate, an Earthman blocked his entrance. Carlin recognized the broad red face, angry eyes, and stocky figure of Loesser, the man who had argued with him at the spaceport.

"What are you doing here?" Loesser demanded.

Carlin was bewildered. "Why, I just wanted to take a look at this machine."

"I thought so!" blazed Loesser. He snatched an object from his jacket pocket. To Carlin's thunderstruck amazement, the object was a stubby atom-pistol...