Trade secret

“Yes, you might put it that way,” Mart agreed reflectively. “I wish to take out a patent on the atom.”

“You’re making fun of us,” said Goodman stiffly. “At the moment it seems to be in particularly poor taste. The Government is most certainly in need of your work. I am sure there would be no question of proper remuneration.”

“You are, huh? A lab and two assistants and seventy-two hundred a year. I made almost a hundred thousand on the Nagle Rocket alone.” Mart turned and paced halfway across the room in a motion of sudden irritation. In the dim light he faced the AEC scientist directly.

“Dr. Goodman, you have been the first to have the honor of understanding the Volcano symbology, but you seem to have great difficulty in understanding what I have said. I want you to understand it. I want you to carry it back to the Commission’s laboratories. Whenever my name comes up among your fellow workers I want you to get this straight and report it correctly: Martin Nagle has discovered some of the most important and basic Laws of Nature that we can presently conceive.

“They are of immense importance to Government, industry, and the military, but unless Martin Nagle can obtain a patent on his work and get proper remuneration for it, he is going to do nothing with it except make trinkets, gadgets and gimcracks.

“And you may further tell them that Martin Nagle has not gone off his rocker. Quote me on it.”

He glanced at his watch. “If you don’t mind, gentlemen, I’m afraid we'll have to get back to the Club. Since it is our present source of income, Berk and I need to help with the evening crowds.”

Goodman was speechless as they left the room, but Jennings winked behind his companion’s back and shook Mart’s hand. “Keep in touch with me,” he said. “I’ll let you know the reaction out West. You’ll be going back to New York, soon?”

“Yes. We have arranged for a large number of franchises on the Volcano here. It will spread to other gambling centers. Then we are putting out another model to compete with pinball machines in bars and drugstores. All in all, I think it’s going to be a very successful device.”

“I hope so!” said Jennings fervently. “I certainly hope so!”

IV.

Baird had it on his program by the time they got back. Again, they were never quite sure how he managed to get news of their affairs so quickly. It could have been through Goodman this time, they thought, but even that seemed unlikely. At any rate, they heard his report firsthand as the two families had dinner together in Mart’s apartment.

“It’s out at last,” said Baird, pinching his nostrils together in self-righteousness. “One of the most startling news stories of all time is the truth behind the fantastic enterprises of ex-Govermnent scientists Martin Nagle and Kenneth Berkeley. You will remember these men resigned many months ago from secret Government laboratories to become involved in a toy manufacturing business. Lately, they have managed a gambling house in Las Vega, Nevada. We know now what Martin and Berkeley are after!

“A reliable informant of this reporter has learned that the goal of these two is the breaking down of the entire system of American Patent Law. And the method they choose is apparently that of blackmail!

“Since the beginning of the Patent System, our courts have kept sacred the forces of Nature and prevented them from falling into the hands of selfish, monopolistic interests. The country has prospered technically under the System, and our inventors and scientists have been abundantly rewarded by it.

“Now we have a blatant attempt to destroy it all by demanding control over the natural forces of the universe, which these two men refuse to disclose in the tradition of the great scientists. I do not know what the outcome of this contention will be, but I am certain that our courts will not allow such a brazen assault to succeed. Our Patent System must be protected and retained intact, in order to secure to inventors their just rights for the fruits of their labors, and at the same time guard against the monopolistic exploitation of the open storehouse of Nature.

“It is a sad thing indeed, to witness the default of two such men of genius as Martin Nagle and Kenneth Berkeley. They are men of genius. The whole world of science acknowledges that they are. The genius of the principles in their toys and gambling machines is recognized. We sincerely hope they will reconsider this fantastic effort and return to the laboratories where they are needed so badly in the defense effort of their country.”

Carolyn Nagle moved to the television receiver and turned it off. She was a tall, dark-haired woman and her face was unnaturally white as she faced the rest of them.

“That’s it,” she said. “I hope you are ready for it. If you don’t wind this thing up pretty soon, we’re liable to be hanging from a lamp-post somewhere along Fifth Avenue.”