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"Hmp. Well, in any case, what we call nerve impulses are merely the progressive electronic unbalance that proceeds along the nerves to the brain and then from the brain back along the nerves. Do you get that?"
"Yes."
"Well, blessings on you for a genius, then. As long as this impulse continues along a nerve cell, it proceeds at a rapid rate, since the neuroproteins are practically in contact. However, nerve cells are limited in extent, and between each nerve cell and the next is a very thin partition of non-nervous tissue. In other words, two adjoining nerve cells do not actually co
"Ah," said E
"Exactly! The partition drops the strength of the impulse and slows the speed of its transmission according to the square of the width thereof. This holds for the brain as well. But imagine, now, if some means could be found to lower the dialectric constant of this partition between the cells."
"That what constant?"
"The insulating strength of the partition. That's all I mean. If that were decreased, the impulse would jump the gap more easily. You would think faster and learn faster."
"Well, then, I come back to my original question. Does it work?"
"I have tried the instrument on animals."
"And with what result?"
"Why, that most die very quickly of denaturation of brain protein-coagulation, in other words, like hard-boiling an egg."
E
"Not conclusive, since they're not human beings. The burden of the evidence seems to be favorable, for them…But I need humans. You see, it is a matter of the natural electronic properties of the individual brain. Each brain gives rise to microcurrents of a certain type. None are exactly duplicates. They're like fingerprints, or the blood-vessel patterns of the retina. If anything, they're even more individual. The treatment, I believe, must take that into account, and, if I am right, there will be no more denaturation…But I have no human beings on whom to experiment. I ask for volunteers, but-" He spread his hands.
"I certainly don't blame them, old man," said E
The physicist shrugged. "That's not for me to say. It would be up to the Grand Council, of course."
"You would not consider making the invention available to the Empire?"
"I? I have no objections at all. But only the Grand Council has jurisdiction over-"
"Oh," said E
"Why, what influence could I possible have?"
"You might tell them that if Earth could produce a Synapsifier that would be applicable to human beings in complete safety, and if the device were made available to the Galaxy, then some of the restrictions on emigration to other planets might be broken down."
"What," said Shekt sarcastically, "and risk epidemics and our differentness and our non-humanity?"
"You might," said E
"Come in, Pola," called Shekt hastily. "My Lord," he said to E
The Procurator was on his feet with an easy gallantry that negated her first wild attempt at a curtsy.
"My dear Miss Shekt," he said, "you are an ornament I did not believe Earth capable of producing. You would, indeed, be an ornament on any world I can think of."
He took Pola's hand, which was quickly and somewhat bashfully extended to meet his gesture. For a moment E
Pola, with the slightest of frowns, said, "I'm overwhelmed at your kindness, my Lord, to a simple girl of Earth. You are brave and gallant to dare infection as you do."
Shekt cleared his throat and interrupted. "My daughter, Procurator, is completing her studies at the University of Chica and is obtaining some needed field credits by spending two days a week in my laboratory as a technician. A competent girl, and though I say it with the pride of a father, she may someday sit in my place."
"Father," said Pola gently, "I have some important information for you." She hesitated.
"Shall I leave?" said E
"No, no," said Shekt. "What is it, Pola?"
The girl said, "We have a volunteer, Father."
Shekt stared, almost stupidly. "For the Synapsifier?"
"So he says."
"Well," said E
"So it would seem. " Shekt turned to his daughter. "Tell him to wait. Take him to Room C, and I'll be with him soon."
He turned to E
"Certainly. How long does the operation take?"
"It's a matter of hours, I'm afraid. Do you wish to watch?"
"I can imagine nothing more gruesome, my dear Shekt. I'll be in the State House till tomorrow. Will you tell me the result?"
Shekt seemed relieved. "Yes, certainly."
"Good…And think over what I said about your Synapsifier. Your new royal road to knowledge."
E
5. The Involuntary Volunteer
Once alone, Dr. Shekt, quietly and cautiously, touched the summoner, and a young technician entered hurriedly, white robe sparkling, long brown hair carefully bound back.
Dr. Shekt said, "Has Pola told you-"
"Yes, Dr. Shekt. I've observed him through the visiplate, and he must undoubtedly be a legitimate volunteer. He's certainly not a subject sent in the usual ma
"Ought I refer to the Council, do you suppose?"
"I don't know what to advise. The Council wouldn't approve of any ordinary communication. Any beam can be tapped, you know." Then, eagerly, "Suppose I get rid of him. I can tell him we need men under thirty. The subject is easily thirty-five."
"No, no. I'd better see him." Shekt's mind was a cold whirl. So far things had been most judiciously handled. Just enough information to lend a spurious frankness, but no more. And now an actual volunteer-and immediately after E
Yet what could he do, since his life was doubly in danger?
Ten minutes later Dr. Shekt was peering helplessly at the gnarled farmer standing before him, cap in hand, head half averted, as though attempting to avoid a too-close scrutiny. His age, thought Shekt, was certainly under forty, but the hard life of the soil was no flatterer of men. The man's cheeks were reddened beneath the leathery brown, and there were distinct traces of perspiration at the hairline and the temples, though the room was cool. The man's hands were fumbling at each other.
"Now, my dear sir," said Shekt kindly, "I understand you refuse to give your name."
Arbin's was a blind stubbor