Mayer said, "I have just one more device to bring to your attention at
this time. I wish it were unnecessary but I am afraid otherwise."

He held up for their inspection, a forty-five-caliber bullet. Jerry
Kennedy handed around samples to the merchants. They fingered them in
puzzlement.

"Honorables," Mayer said, "the barons have the use of gunpowder. Muskets
and muzzleloading cannon are available to them both for their wars
against each other and their occasional attacks upon our supposedly
independent cities. However, this is an advancement on their weapons.
This unit includes not only the bullet's lead, but the powder and the
cap which will explode it."

They lacked understanding, and showed it.

Mayer said, "Jerry, if you'll demonstrate."

Jerry Kennedy said, "The bullet can be adapted to various weapons,
however, this is one of the simplest." He pressed, one after another, a
full twenty rounds into the gun's clip.

"Now, if you'll note the silhouette of a man I've drawn on the wooden
frame at the end of the room." He pressed the trigger, sent a single
shot into the figure.

Olderman nodded. "An improvement in firearms. But--"

Kennedy said, "However, if you are confronted with more than one of the
bad guys." He grinned and flicked the gun to full automatic and in a
Gotterdammerung of sound in the confines of the room, emptied the clip
into his target sending splinters and chips flying and all but
demolishing the wooden backdrop.

His audience sat back in stunned horror at the demonstration.

Mayer said now, "The weapon is simple to construct, any competent
gunsmith can do it. It is manifest, Honorables, that with your people so
equipped your cities will be safe from attack and so will trading
caravans and ships."

Russ said shakily, "Your intention is good, Honorable Mayer, however it
will be but a matter of time before the barons have solved the secrets
of your weapon. Such cannot be held indefinitely. Then we would again be
at their mercy."

"Believe me, Honorable," Mayer said dryly, "by that time I will have new
weapons to introduce, if necessary. Weapons that make this one a very
toy in comparison."

Olderman resumed his office as spokesman. "This demonstration has
astounded us, Honorable Mayer, but although we admire your abilities it
need hardly be pointed out that it seems unlikely all this could be the
product of one brain."

"They are not mine," Mayer admitted. "They are the products o