Read Ebook: Walker's Appeal with a Brief Sketch of His Life And Also Garnet's Address to the Slaves of the United States of America by Garnet Henry Highland Walker David

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Ebook has 399 lines and 37036 words, and 8 pages

"Extracting the radioactivity from a radioactive substance is impossible."

"Come, now, Doctor Mangler. There were learned gentlemen who proved conclusively that no vehicle heavier than air could ever get off the ground under its own power."

"Granted. Using the same mathematics it is possible to prove that the bumblebee is aerodynamically impossible. The half-life of a radioelement is set by the nuclear structure of the element. What you are stating is that the half-life of any radioelement can be cut down--"

"Not at all. I'm stating that I intend to purchase a machine that will completely remove radioactivity regardless of half-life."

Mangler sneered. "Tell me, Newton, if you were to put a lump of radium before this machine, would it turn out to be stable radium--or convert itself all the way down the radioactive ladder to inert lead in the same instant?"

"This is the sort of hypothetical question you always enjoy tossing around, Mangler. I suggest that you procure a half pound or so of radium and we'll try it."

"Then you have only rumor to go on?"

"Look, Mangler, let's make a premise or two. You'll not deny that I know what a Geiger counter is, and how it is used?"

"I'll grant that."

"All right then. Now, I've been shown a machine and a sample of radioactive material. I've been permitted to test this radioactive sample extensively. In fact I had it here for a few hours, using our own test equipment and it was definitely radioactive. This is established to your satisfaction?"

"Go on."

"Then this sample was placed in the machine and within a matter of a minute or so the sample was returned to me, inert and cold."

"May I ask whether there might have been a substitution of sample?" asked Mangler with a sneer.

"No, there was not. I have it here," and Newton tossed a lump of stuff on the desk.

"Carnotite ore," said Mangler picking it up and looking at it through a jeweler's loupe that he took from his vest pocket. "Or at least what appears to be."

"I put my own mark on it," said Newton complacently.

Mangler eyed Newton coldly. He started to say something but stopped before he began.

Newton smiled serenely and went on: "This is merely a pilot model," he said. "With a bit of development, the device can be made to work on a large scale. We can decontaminate our by-products; we can render safe any radioactive area. Why, the value of machinery we toss out every month will pay for it in a short time. Time and time again something in the hot-cave breaks down. Last week it was five hundred dollars worth of analytical balance, discarded because of a broken bearing worth about a dollar and a half. It wouldn't work right, and it was so hot that no one could repair it safely. Think of it!"

"As you said before, such a machine would be worth billions. But no such machine can possibly exist."

"You're certain of this?"

"Of course I'm certain."

"Which means, naturally, that you know all there is to know."

"I know what is the common knowledge of the topmost scientists of the world."

"Including the recent discoveries of the men who work behind the iron curtain?"

"Russia has no corner on brains."

"Nor have we; just remember that."

"So this miraculous gadget came from Russia?"

"It did."

"Indeed!"

"Don't scoff. Doctor Velikof escaped with his life."

"And the machine, of course."

"Yes. He stole the pilot model and escaped."

"Go on, Newton." Mangler's use of Phillip Newton's last name was scornful; a sore spot frequently rubbed raw. Mangler used it in this same scornful tone whenever Newton tried to invade the premises of science. Mangler's tone inferred that Newton was identifying himself with Sir Isaac Newton; it was on the same level of ridicule as calling a bald man 'Curly'.

"Doctor Velikof wanted out. He escaped with no more than his clothing and the machine--it fits into a small metal cabinet--because he knew that it would bring him enough money here to permit his comfortable escape and ultimate freedom. Even now he is not free from danger because the Soviet agents are everywhere, and doubtless most of them are on the lookout for him."

"Naturally," nodded Mangler in a soft voice.

"He came to me because he knew I was investigated and cleared for secret data by the Government and therefore could have no connection with the Soviet. He was extremely cautious at first, but he's relaxed since. Why, it was at least three weeks before he would show me his machine."

"Which you swallowed, hook, line, and sinker."

"But not without careful investigation."

"Such as?"

"I've seen it work!" snapped Newton.

"This I'd like to see myself."

"I'd take you along tomorrow excepting for one thing."

"Tomorrow?"

"I'm giving Doctor Velikof the voucher and taking possession of the machine tomorrow morning at ten ack emma."

"And your objections?"

"You'd foul up the deal."

"How?"

"Like most of your ilk, you'd want to spend a few years investigating the properties of the machine. You'd have someone make a mathematical analysis of the process, want to test it on this and that, and then you'd priff around for six more months before you decided whether to pay off now or a year from now. In the meantime Doctor Velikof would be in great danger, if not dead by then."

"And if I promise not to interfere?"

"Under those circumstances--"

Mangler eyed Newton calculatingly. "Will you put in writing a statement that you are inviting me to witness this affair under the single provision that I interfere in no way, shape, or fashion with your business deal with this Doctor Velikof?"

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