"Objection permitted--strike the question from the record." "I was merely trying to bring out the technical aspect of the case," explained Tinkin. "I'll rephrase the question. Is it not true that the contract between Terran Electric and Venus Equilateral is based upon a certain technology?" "Certainly." "Then if the case is based on technical aspects--?" "Objection!" marked Kingman. "More than half of all manufacturing contracts are based upon technical background. I quote the case of Hines versus Ingall in which the subject matter was the development of a new type of calculating machine. This case was heard in a legal court and disposed of in the same." "Objection permitted." "No further examination," said Tinkin. He sat down and turned to Don. "We're in trouble, Hamilton does not like us." "Well, we still have the whip hand." "Right, but before we get done we'll have trouble with Hamilton." "Before we get done, Kingman will have trouble with us," said Don. * * * * * Terran Electric's lawyer called Wes Farrell to the stand. "Mr. Farrell, you are employed by Venus Equilateral?" "Yes." "In what capacity?" "As an experimental physicist." "And as such, you were involved in some phases of the device under discussion?" "I was," said Farrell. "Does the device make use of the Solar beam?" "It does but--" "Thank you," interrupted Kingman. "I'm not through," snapped Farrell. "The Solar beam is not integral." "It is used, though." "It may be removed. If necessary, we can have hand-generators supplied to generate the operating power." "I see," said Kingman sourly. "The device itself is entirely new and basic?" "Not entirely. The main components are developments of existing parts, specialized to fit the requirements." "They are based on specifically what?" "Certain effects noted in the power-transmission tubes plus certain effects noted in the Solar beam tubes." "And which of these effects is more contributory?" "Both are about equally responsible. One will be useless without the other." Kingman turned to the judge. "I intend to show that the use of these effects is stated in the contract." "Proceed." "Was there any time during the development of the device any question of jurisdiction?" "None whatever," said Farrell. "We knew how we stood." "The statement is hearsay and prejudiced," stated Kingman. "Strike it from the record," snapped Hamilton. "It stands at 'none whatever,'" said Kingman. The secretary nodded. "Since absolutely no attention was paid to the terms of the contract, doesn't that imply that a certain ignorance of the terms might prevail?" "Objection!" shouted Tinkin. "Counsel's question implies legal carelessness on the part of his opponent." "How can you be aware of the ramifications of a contract that you do not read?" stormed Kingman. "Objection overruled." "May I take exception?" requested Tinkin.