`Yes, it would be,’ Clare agreed. `Two and a half times normal weight is oppressive to say the least.’
`It’s a happy ending to a difficult task. I must be going. Oh, yes, one other little matter – I’ve discussed with Doctor O’Neil the possibility that the Administration may be interested in other uses for his new development. In order to simplify the matter it seems desirable that you provide me with a quitclaim to the O’Neil effect from General Services.’
Clare gazed thoughtfully at the `Weeping Buddha’ and chewed his thumb. `No,’ he said slowly, `no. I’m afraid that would be difficult.’
`Why not?’ asked Beaumont. `It avoids the necessity of adjudication and attendant waste of time. We are prepared to recognize your service and recompense you.’
`Hmmm. I don’t believe you fully understand the situation, Mr Beaumont. There is a certain amount of open territory between our contract with Doctor O’Neil and your contract with us. You asked of us certain services and certain chattels with which to achieve that service. We provided them – for a fee. All done. But our contract with Doctor O’Neil made him a full-time employee for the period of his employment. His research results and the patents embodying them are the property of General Services.’
`Really?’ said Beaumont. `Doctor O’Neil has a different impression.’
`Doctor O’Neil is mistaken. Seriously, Mr Beaumont – you asked us to develop a siege gun, figuratively speaking, to shoot a gnat. Did you expect us, as businessmen, to throw away the siege gun after one shot?’
`No, I suppose not. What do you propose to do?’
`We expect to exploit the gravity modulator commercially. I fancy we could get quite a good price for certain adaptations of it on Mars.’
`Yes. Yes, I suppose you could. But to be brutally frank, Mr Clare, I am afraid that is impossible. it is a matter of imperative public policy that this development be limited to terrestrials. In fact, the administration would find it necessary to intervene and make it government monopoly.’
`Have you considered how to keep O’Neil quiet?’
`In view of the change in circumstances, no. What is your thought?’
`A corporation, in which he would hold a block of stock and be president. One of our bright young men would be chairman of the board.’ Clare thought of Carson. `There would be stock enough to go around,’ he added, and watched Beaumont’s face.
Beaumont ignored the bait. `I suppose that this corporation would be under contract to the Government – its sole customer?’
`That is the idea.’
`Mmmm . . . yes, it seems feasible. Perhaps I had better speak with Doctor O’Neil.’
`Help yourself.’
Beaumont got O’Neil on the screen and talked with him in low tones. Or, more properly, Beaumont’s tones were low. 0 Neil displayed a tendency to blast the microphone. Clare sent for Francis and Grace and explained to them what had taken place.
Beaumont turned away from the screen. `The Doctor wishes to speak with you, Mr Clare.’
O’Neil looked at him frigidly. `What is this claptrap I’ve had to listen to, sir? What’s this about the O’Neil effect being your property?’
`It was in your contract, Doctor. Don’t you recall?’
`Contract! I never read the damned thing. But I can tell you this: I’ll take you to court. I’ll tie you in knots before I’ll let you make a fool of me that way.’
`Just a moment, Doctor, please!’ Clare soothed. `We have no desire to take advantage of a mere legal technicality, and no one disputes your interest. Let me outline what I had in mind – ` He ran rapidly over the plan. O’Neil listened, but his expression was still unmollified at the conclusion.
`I’m not interested,’ he said gruffly. `So far as I am concerned the Government can have the whole thing. And I’ll see to it.’
`I had not mentioned one other condition,’ added Clare.
`Don’t bother.’
`I must. This will be just a matter of agreement between gentlemen, but it is essential. You have custody of the “Flower of Forgetfulness”.’
O’Neil was at once on guard. `What do you mean, “custody”. I own it. Understand me – own it.’