"Yes. Had a bit of trouble making the ripple match." Farrell pulled several watches from his pocket. "This one added ripple. It's quite cockeyed. This one had cross-ripple and it's really a mess. It sort of looks like you feel, Walt. I've got 'em with double ripples, triple ripples, phase distortion, over-correction, and one that reminds me of a pancake run through a frilling machine." Channing looked at the collection of scrambled watches and shuddered. "Take'm away--_brrrrrr_." Arden covered the uninspiring things with a tablecloth. "Thanks," said Don. "Do you think the judge'll forgive us?" asked Farrell. "Don't say it," said Walt, bursting with laughter. "I don't have to," chortled Don. "They're both hysterical," explained Arden. "Carbogen and Turkish bath," said Don. "And quick! Arden, call us a taxi." "You're both taxis," giggled Arden. "O.K., fellows. Can do." She went to the phone and started to call. Farrell looked uncomprehendingly at Walt and then at Don, and shook his head. "Mind telling me?" he pleaded. "Wes, you're a million!" roared Channing, rolling on the floor. Farrell turned to Arden. "Let them alone," she said. "Something probably pleases them highly. We'll find out later--Yes? Operator? Will you call a cab for Room 719? Thanks." * * * * * Attorney Tinkin faced Judge Hamilton with a slight smile. "Prior to your ruling, I wish to present you with your watch. Also I ask permission to sum up my case--an act which I was unprepared to do last evening." Hamilton reached for the watch, but Tinkin kept it. "You may state your case--but it will make little difference in my ruling unless you can offer better evidence than your opponent." "Thank you," said Tinkin. He made a show of winding the watch, and he set it accurately to the court clock on the wall. "Your honor, a telegram is a message. It requires energy for transmission. A letter also requires energy for carrying and delivery. A spacegram requires the expenditure of great energy to get the message across. The case in hand is this: If the energy is expended in maintaining the contact, then communications are involved. But when the energy is expected to be used on the other side--and the energies transmitted are far above and beyond those necessary for mere maintenance of contact, it then may be construed that not the contact but the transmittal of energy is desired, and power transmission is in force." Tinkin swung Hamilton's watch by the chain.