While waiting for the clerk to return, the two of them looked around at the nearby counters. "Funny thing about this place," said Ken, "is I don't know what seventy per cent of these gadgets they're selling are. Those I can recognize look strange. Like that set of dishes--I'm no housewife, but I've never seen shapes like those before." "I noticed that, too," said Jack. "But anything they've got that we can use, we can't afford not to buy, at the prices they ask." "Let's wait and see how the television set turns out," suggested Ken. * * * * * The clerk returned, empty-handed. "My communications man thinks he can fix your comm--television set so it will be all right, if you can bring us a technical manual on television sets. I hate to ask you to go to such trouble--" "What! You mean you've got a television repairman who doesn't have a manual on the things?" "Not on the type you need," said the clerk apologetically. "It wouldn't matter what brand or trade name the manual applies to." "Why can't you have your communications man go out and buy his own?" demanded Ken. "Or order one?" "Well--let's just say it would cause great inconvenience at this time. Mr. Hanshaw, I realize it would inconvenience you also, so in return for the favor I will be willing to give you, free, any item of merchandise in the store." "Fair enough," agreed Jack, his eyes gleaming. "I'll bring it tomorrow." "Incidentally, sir, would your friend be interested in a purchase while you are here?" "No, absolutely not," said Ken, turning away. Jack caught his arm. "Oh, come on, Ken! Price these things, anyhow. You'll be astonished. Show Mr. Adaman something he can use." "Mr. Adaman?" The clerk's eyes widened delightedly. "Why, sir, that's my name, too. Edigo Adaman." "Mine's Kenneth Adaman," said Ken shortly, but he showed more interest. "It isn't a common name," said Edigo. "Are you by any chance a merchant, Mr. Adaman?" "You might say so. I'm a clerk in a men's clothing store." * * * * * Edigo nodded gravely. "My family has been in the mercantile business for many generations," he said. "My father owns this store and it will be the largest in the Americas when we finish it. Now, Mr. Adaman, do you see anything that interests you? Anything at all?" "Well," said Ken, moving over to a counter, "is this a watch?" "Yes, sir, and a very good one." Edigo picked it up. It was a thin dial, with three hands and twenty-four numerals instead of the usual twelve. "It's very nice-looking. But it's a pocket watch, isn't it? I wear a wristwatch." "Oh, no," said Edigo. "Hold out your arm." Ken obeyed. Edigo placed the dial on his wrist, and it clung without apparent support. "Say, that's keen!" exclaimed Ken. "Some sort of magnetism, I suppose? How much?" "Would--would fifty cents be too much?" asked Edigo anxiously. "Fifty cents? Sold!" Ken pulled a coin from his pocket.