"Plants go through with no ill effects. Microscopic life does, too. Animals we have tried usually die because of internal disorders--but they move while being scanned, and their bodies come out looking rather ugly. An anaesthetized mouse went through all right--lived for several hours. Died because the breathing-function made a microscopic rift in the lungs, and the beating heart didn't quite meet true. We must speed up the scanning-time to a matter of micro-seconds and then we can send living bodies with no harm." "That would clean out the space lines," said Keg. "I think I'll offer that bird a slice of Interplanet for an interest, if he wins. We've got to have it, Don." "I know, Keg. No hard feelings." "Of course," said Keg wistfully. "We'll be across a barrel if you win, too. But the barrel will be less painful with you holding the handles than if Terran Electric holds them. The same offer goes for you, too." "O.K.," nodded Channing. He turned and entered the courtroom. Tinkin called Don Channing to the stand as his first witness. Don explained the function of Venus Equilateral, the job of interplanetary communications, and their work along other lines of endeavor. Then Tinkin said to the judge: "I have here a glass cube, three inches on a side. This cube was transmitted from Venus Equilateral to the Lunar Station. I offer it as Exhibit A. It was a test-sample, and as you see, it emerged from the test absolutely perfect." The judge took the cube, examined it with some interest, and then set it down on the desk. "Now," said Tinkin, "if you do not object, I should like to present a demonstration of the matter transmitter. May I?" Hamilton brightened slightly. "Permission is granted." "Thank you." Tinkin made motions and the technicians came in with the two cabinets. "This isn't good," said Kingman's assistant to the lawyer. "The old goat looks interested." "Don't worry," said Kingman. "This'll take a long time, and by the time they get done, Hamilton will be ready to throw them out. Besides, it will make a good arguing point for my final blast. And, brother, I've got a talking-point that will scream for itself." "But suppose they convince--" "Look," smiled Kingman, "this is really no argument as to whether matter or intelligence is carried. Believe me, that has nothing to do with it. I'm keeping this one under the wraps until shooting-time so they won't be able to get an argument against it. We're a cinch. That's why I kept it in a legal court instead of a technical court. The Techs would award it to Channing on a technical basis, but the legal boys have got to follow my argument." "How about an appeal?" "The record of this court is still a very heavy argument. Look, they're about to start."