"You won't take satisfaction on that," taunted Benj. "Because you'd have to call me and I'll accept battle with beams." Cal considered. Normally, he would have been glad to demonstrate to anyone the secret of the Key. But he would have died before he told Benj the time of day. But another consideration came. The Key was worthless--and less valuable would be the vast treasures of Murdoch's Hoard. Why not give him the Key and let him go hunting for the useless stuff? Wally waved an instant-welder in front of Cal's nose. The tip glowed like a white-hot stylus. "Might singe him a bit," offered Wally. "Put the iron down," snapped Benj. Wally laid the three-foot shaft on its stand, where it cooled slowly. "Cal wouldn't talk. I know. That thing would only make him madder than a hornet." "So what do we do with the loke?" asked Wally. "Take him home and work on him there," said Benj. "Trap his hands." * * * * * No more was said until they dropped onto Cal's rooftop. He was ushered down the same way that he had gone up--with beams looking at his backbone. They carried his equipment down, and set it carefully on the table. "Now," said Benj. "Make with the talk." "O.K.," said Cal. "This is a cavity resonator--" "This is too easy," objected Wally. "Something's fishy." Cal looked at the speaker with scorn. "You imbecile. You've been reading about Murdoch's Hoard. Vast treasure. Money, jewels, and securities. Valuable as hell three hundred and fifty years ago, but not worth a mouthful of ashes today. Why shouldn't I tell you about it?" "That right, boss?" asked Wally. "He's wishful thinking," snorted Benj. Cal smiled inwardly. His protestation of what he knew to be the truth was working. The desire to work on Benj was running high, now, and Cal was reconsidering his idea of handing the thing to Benj scot-free. "Let me loose. I'll show you how it works," he said. "Not a peep out of it," warned Benj. "Wally, if he touches that switch before he takes the Key out of the reflector, drill him low and safe--but drill him!" Cal knew the value of that order. The hands were freed, and he stepped forward with tools and removed the Key. "Now?" he asked sarcastically. "Go ahead," said Benj. "Thanks," grinned Cal. "That I will!" He took three steps forward and went out of the open window like a running jackrabbit. His strong fencer's wrists caught the trellis at the edge and he swung wide before he dropped to the ground several feet below. He landed running, and though the flashes of the needle beams scored the ground ahead of him, none caught him. He plowed through a hedge, jumped into his car, and drove off with a swaying drive that would disrupt any aim. He drove to the Solarian Medical Association, where he found Dr. Lange in charge. In spite of the hour of the morning, he went in and spoke to the doctor. Lange looked up surprised. "What are you doing here at this hour?" he asked with a smile.