George turned to the professor. "How little you know your own people, Professor Tomlin. Can't you see what the issue will be? It will be claimed by the state that I am not a human being and this will be drummed into every brain in the land. The fine qualities of the man I was compelled to destroy will be held up. No, I already know what the outcome will be. I refuse to be arrested." * * * * * Prof. Tomlin stood up. "Men," he said to the policemen, "do not arrest this--this humanoid. To try to do so would mean your death. I have been with him long enough to know what he can do." "You taking his side, Professor?" the police sergeant demanded. "No, damn it," snapped the Professor. "I'm trying to tell you something you might not know." "We know he's gone too damned far," the sergeant replied. "I think it was Dick Knight that he killed. Nobody in this town can kill a good guy like Dick Knight and get away with it." He advanced toward the robot, drawing his gun. "I'm warning you--" the Professor started to say. But it was too late. There was another blinding, scorching flash, more burned grass, more smell of seared flesh. The police sergeant disappeared. [Illustration] "Gentlemen!" George said, standing. "Don't lose your heads!" But he was talking to a retreating group of men. Newsmen walked quickly to what they thought was a safe distance. The radio men silently packed their gear. The TV cameras were rolled noiselessly away. Prof. Tomlin, alone on the porch with the robot, turned to him and said, "Much of what you have told me comes to have new meaning, George. I understand what you mean when you talk about people being willing to work for your so-called Seventh Order." "I knew you were a better than average man, Professor Tomlin," the humanoid said, nodding with gratification. "This is where I get off, George. I'm warning you now that you'd better return to your ship or whatever it is you came in. People just won't stand for what you've done. They don't like murder!" "I cannot return to my ship," George said. "I destroyed it when I arrived. Of course I could instruct some of you how to build another for me, but I don't intend to leave, anyway." "You will be killed then." "Come, now, Professor Tomlin. You know better than that." "If someone else can't, then perhaps I can." "Fine!" The robot replied jovially. "That's just what I want you to do. Oppose me. Give me a real test of your ability. If you find it impossible to kill me--and I'm sure you will--then I doubt if anyone else will be able to." Prof. Tomlin lit a cigaret and puffed hard at it. "The trouble with you," he said, eying the humanoid evenly, "is that your makers forgot to give you a conscience." "Needless baggage, a conscience. One of your Fifth Order failings." "You will leave here...." "Of course. Under the circumstances, and because of your attitude, you are of very little use to me now, Professor Tomlin."