PRESS HERE! "He's found it," croaked Thomas. "He's found it!" "And you're a mess." "That I am," said Thomas shaking off some of the gluck that was trickling down his arm. "That I am." "Don't you mind?" "I have my own revenge. My own, particular means of revenge. I'm sorry, Elaine. I must now leave you. The engineer has had his fun--now, my sweet, he may have the compensating task of cleaning up!" Thomas turned and found the little tungsten box with its label: BE AN ENGINEER! and pressed the button. * * * * * Tom Lionel, Consulting Engineer, removed his finger from the button, and turned to see Elaine. "Was it funny?" he asked. "Very much so," she laughed. "Who pushed it?" "I did." "Too bad. I'd rather he got it by his own machinations." "He tried to stop me--" "Uh-huh. Maybe it's better the way it is," Tom laughed in spite of the load of uncomfort he was carrying. He wiped some of the oil and tar mixture from his face and continued. "The instantaneous feeling of horror at the idea of seeing you glucked over with this mess must have given him some shock. No doubt he thought that whatever would happen would happen to the holder of the epicenter locator." "Now what are you going to do?" "Me?" "Yes. You're going to clean up, aren't you?" "Not me." "How are you going to ... to--?" "Cause his return?" "Yes." Tom considered. "I guess I'm licked. He'll just use this box of his." "Can't you undo it?" "Nope. It's just too tough. I'd go to work on the insides with acid if I could get inside of it. The outside is possible, but I haven't enough acid to react with the whole darned box. But I'm going to get something. Well, I'm going inside and take myself a shower. Wait--I'll be back." * * * * * An hour later, Tom Lionel emerged from the bathroom. Frank, the houseboy went in with a humorous shake of the head. He'd seen the embryonic mess and knew what there was to do. "Now what?" asked Elaine. "Well, you see, the thing is slightly out of hand," exclaimed Tom. "I started this thing because my physicist friend got out of line and shot the entire bankroll on a pile of scientific flapdoodle." He took a cigarette case from his pocket that glinted and iridesced as he opened it. "I've been able to use nearly everything," he grinned, "including the ruling engine," he waved the grating-ruled cigarette case at the girl. "Marten shelled out about ten thousand bucks for the secret of the finish on this case. He's ruling jewelry now and it is the largest thing since the discovery of diamond-faceting. I'm also getting a five percent royalty on every grating-ruled piece that's made. It ain't hay.