Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition — page 17: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

TRADE SECRET | 15 “Tt should be able to power air- _ planes—and even spaceships.” “Of course. You referred to a new Law of Nature in your patent. Obviously—” “Yes. Obviously that is what you are interested in. But [I’m afraid I can’t sell you a Law of Nature. Nobody gets patents on such things. Unfortunately, that has to come under the classification of Trade Secret.” “That is hardly the attitude of the modern scientist towards his dis- coveries and his work,” said Wolfe stiffly. Mart shrugged. “It’s my attitude. So now you know: The basic principle of the Nagle Rocket is completely unprotected. It is right there, lying wide open for you and your engineers to discover for yourselves. And when you do discover it you can build ' kites or liners to Mars.”’, Wolfe made no move but continued to stare across the desk into the eyes | of Martin Nagle. “You have a price,” said Wolfe. ““What is your figure?”’ “Yes,” Mart nodded slowly. “I have a price. But again, unfortunately, it is aS unconventional as the rest of my attitude in this matter. It so happens that it is not denotable by figures.” Wolfe picked up his brief case then and rose abruptly to his feet. “I repeat, I do not understand you, Dr. Nagle. You have either an un- mitigated conceit regarding your own abilities or you take the rest of us for fools. I assure you, however, that I will take you at your own word. I shall discover for myself whatever principle underlies your toy, and make whatever utilization I care to. But it would seem far more fitting if you exhibited a willingness to co-operate in the exploitation of this Eomichooksco