"This is not a business appeal, young men. This is an appeal to your
consciences, to your duty as citizens of the Empire of Earth."
I saw Quinby looking a little bothered. The smiling old boy was shrewd;
he knew that the conscience was where to aim a blow at Quinby. "Our
consciences are clear--I think and trust."
"Are they? This law that you finagled through the Council, that
destroyed what you call my monopoly--it did more than that. That
'monopoly' rested on our control of the factors which make robots safe
and prevent them from ever harming living beings. You have removed that
control."
Quinby laughed with relief. "Is that all? I knew you'd been using that
line in publicity but I didn't think you expected us to believe it.
There are other safety factors beside yours. We're using them, and the
law still insists on the use of some, though not necessarily Robinc's.
I'm afraid my conscience is untouched."
"I do not know," said Sanford Grew, "whether I am flattering or
insulting you when I say I know that it is no use trying to buy you out
at any price. You are immune to reason--"
"Because it's on our side," said Quinby quietly.
"I am left with only one recourse." He rose and smiled a gentle
farewell. "Good day, gentlemen."
He'd left the brandy untouched. I finished it, and was glad I'd vetoed
Guzub's miki.
"One recourse--" Quinby mused. "That must mean--"