ghts is Lecky's?"

"B-2, my master."

Barter sat down under the light marked "B-2" and lifted the key which
dangled from the end of the golden chain. This key he inserted in a
tiny orifice in the ball atop his head. Then he turned in his chair to
look at Lecky. Barter's face was a mask of concentration as he gazed
intently at the young man.

- - -

Lecky stiffened to attention. His right hand shot to his cap visor in
salute. His lips twisted into a travesty of a smile. For a few seconds
he went through a strange series of posturings. He stood in the
attitude of a boxer preparing to attack. He danced smartly on his
toes. He bent double and touched the floor with the palms of his
hands. He jumped up and down with his legs stiff. He stopped suddenly
with his right hand at rigid salute. But his eyes were still vacant
through every posture.

Barter's face showed a glow of satisfaction.

"He did exactly what I willed him to do! I am his master. He is my
slave--even more abjectly than you are my slave, Naka Machi!"

"But that would be impossible, my master," said Naka Machi, hissing
again through his teeth as he sucked in his breath. "None could be
more abjectly your slave than I."

"Do not say anything is impossible," said Barter peevishly, "when I
say otherwise. Anything is possible to me! Now, we'll send Lecky
forth. I'll watch him through the heliotubes and control his every
move. While I am directing Lecky you will prepare the table behind me
for the first of our world-revolutionizing operations."

"Yes, my master," said the Japanese humbly.

"But first, it's just as well that Lecky is in a good humor, even
though he is my slave. Where are the walnuts, Naka Machi?"

The Japanese tendered a large walnut to Barter. Barter rose and
approached Lecky who still stood at salute. He stopped a couple of
paces in front of the soldierly man and held up the walnut as a man
sometimes holds up food to a dog, bidding him "speak" before he may be
fed.

- - -

Then Lecky did a strange thing.

He began to jump up and down like a pleased child. His jumping caused
him to lose his balance, but he recaptured it by pressing the backs of
his hands against the floor. His hitherto expressionless eyes lost
their dullness. Saliva dribbled at the corners of his mouth. Barter
tossed him the walnut. Lecky held it under his right forefinger,
against the _heel_ of his thumb, instead of between thumb and
foref