The racket and hubbub died, and Tinkin faced the judge. "These are plainly labeled. They are matter transmitter and matter receiver. We have here a set of metal bars. They are made of copper, steel, aluminum, some complex alloys, and the brother to that glass cube you have before you. We will transmit this set of objects from here to there. Have you any suggestions?" "A matter of control and identity. What have you for control?" "Nothing that is outside of our hands," smiled Tinkin. "Would you care to send something of your own? Your gavel? Inkwell? Marked coin? Anything?" "I'd offer my glasses except for the fact that I can not see without them," said Judge Hamilton. "We wouldn't break them or damage them a bit." "I know--that much faith I have--but I'd not see the experiment." "A good point. Anything else?" "My watch. It is unique enough for me." He handed over the watch, which was quite sizable. Tinkin inspected the watch and smiled. "Very old, isn't it? A real collector's item, I daresay." Hamilton beamed. "There are nine of them in the Solar System," he said. "And I know where the other eight are." "O.K., we'll put it on the top. I'll have to stop it, because the movement of the balance wheel would cause a rift during transmission." "How about the spring tension?" "No need to worry about that. We've sent loaded springs before. Now, people, stand back and we'll go on the air." * * * * * Don Channing himself inspected the machinery to see that nothing was wrong. He nodded at Walt Franks at the receiver, and then started the initial operations. "We are synchronizing the two machines," he said. "Absolute synchronization is necessary. Ready, Walt?" "Right!" Channing pushed a button. There was a minute, whirring hum, a crackle of ozone, very faint, and the almost-imperceptible wave of heat from both machines. "Now," said Walt Franks, "we'll see." He opened the cabinet and reached in with a flourish. His face fell. It turned rosy. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing but choking sounds came forth. He spluttered, took a deep breath, and then shook his head in slow negation. Slowly, like a boy coming in for a whipping, Walt took out the judge's watch. He handed it to Don. Don, knowing from Walt's expression that something was very, very wrong, took the watch gingerly, but quickly. He hated to look and was burning with worried curiosity at the same time.