as even been melted down."

"Then look at my patents!" insisted Hoddan. "It's stupid--"

"The patent records," said the justice with unnecessary vehemence, "have
been destroyed. Your possessions have been searched for copies. Nobody
will ever look at your drawings again--not if they are wise!"

"Wha-a-at?" demanded Hoddan incredulously. "Wha-a-at?"

"I will amend the record of this hearing before it is published," said
the justice shakily. "I should not have made that comment. I ask
permission of the Citizen's Representative to amend."

"Granted," said the Representative before he had finished.

The justice said quickly:

"The-charges-have-been-admitted-by-the-defendant.
Since-the-complainant-does-not-wish-punitive-action-taken-against-him--"

"He'd be silly if he did," grunted Hoddan.

"And-merely-wishes-security-against-repetition-of-the-offense,
I-rule-that-the-defendant-may-be-released-upon-posting-suitable-bond-for
-good-behavior-in-the-future. That-is, he-will-be-required-to-post-bond
-which-will-be-forfeited-if-he-ever-again-enters-a-power-station
-enclosure-passes-no-trespassing-signs-ignores-no-admittance-signs
-and/or-smashes-apparatus-belonging-to-the-complainant."

"All right," said Hoddan indignantly. "I'll raise it somehow. If they're
too stupid to save money-- How much bond?"

"The-court-will-take-it-under-advisement-and-will-notify-the-defendant
-within-the-customary-two-hours," said the justice at top speed. He
swallowed. "The-defendant-will-be-kept-in-close-confinement-until-the
-bond-is-posted. The-hearing-is-ended."

He did not look at Hoddan. Courtroom guards put stun-pistols against
Hoddan's body and ushered him out.

* * * * *

Presently his friend Derec came to see him in the tool-steel cell in
which he had been placed. Derec looked white and stricken.

"I'm in trouble because I'm your friend, Bron," he said miserably, "but
I asked permission to explain things to you. After all, I caused your
arrest. I urged you not to connect up your receptor without permission!"

"I know," growled Hoddan, "but there are some people so stupid you have
to show them everything. I didn't realize that there are people so
stupid you can't show them anything."

"You ... showed something you didn't intend," said Derec miserably.
"Bron, I ... I have to tell you. When they went to charge the carbon
bins at the power station, they ... they found a dead man, Bron!"

Hodda