Free The Star Beast by Robert A. Heinlein Page A

meters had stayed steady; Mr. deGrasse had insisted on amplifying parts of the testimony. Mr. Ito’s lawyer stipulated that Mr. Ito had fired at Lummox; Mr. Ito’s son was allowed to describe and show photographs of the consequences. Only Mrs. Donahue’s testimony was needed to complete the story of L-day.
    Greenberg turned to her lawyer. “Mr. Beanfield, will you examine your client, or shall the court continue?”
    “Go ahead, your honor. I may add a question or two.”
    “Your privilege. Mrs. Donahue, tell us what happened.”
    “I certainly shall. Your honor, friends, distinguished visitors, unaccustomed as I am to public speaking, nevertheless, in my modest way, I believe I am…”
    “Never mind that, Mrs. Donahue. Just the facts. Last Monday afternoon.”
    “But I was!”
    “Very well, go ahead. Keep it simple.”
    She sniffed. “Well! I was lying down, trying to snatch a few minutes rest… I have so many responsibilities, clubs and charitable committees and things…”
    Greenberg was watching the truth meter over her head. The needle wobbled restlessly, but did not kick over into the red enough to set off the warning buzzer. He decided that it was not worth while to caution her.
    “…when suddenly I was overcome with a nameless dread.”
    The needle swung far into the red, a ruby light flashed and the buzzer gave out a loud rude noise. Somebody started to giggle; Greenberg said hastily, “Order in the court. The bailiff is instructed to remove any spectator making a disturbance.”
    Mrs. Donahue broke off suddenly when the buzzer sounded. Mr. Beanfield, looking grim, touched her sleeve and said, “Never mind that, dear lady. Just tell the court about the noise you heard and what you saw and what you did.”
    “He’s leading the witness,” objected Betty.
    “Never mind,” said Greenberg. “Somebody has to.”
    “But…”
    “Objection overruled. Witness will continue.”
    “Well! Uh…well, I heard this noise and I wondered what in the world it was. I peeked out and there was this great ravening beast charging back and forth and…”
    The buzzer sounded again; a dozen spectators laughed. Mrs. Donahue said angrily, “Will somebody shut that silly thing off? How anyone can be expected to testify with that going on is more than I can see.”
    “Order!” called Greenberg. “If there is more demonstration, the court will find it necessary to hold someone in contempt.” He went on to Mrs. Donahue: “Once a witness has accepted the use of the truth meter the decision cannot be changed. But the data supplied by it is instructive merely; the court is not bound by it. Continue.”
    “Well, I should hope so. I never told a lie in my life?”
    The buzzer remained silent; Greenberg reflected that she must believe it. “I mean,” he added, “that the court makes up its own mind. It does not allow a machine to do so for it.”
    “My father always said that gadgets like that were spawn of the devil. He said that an honest business man should not…”
    “Please, Mrs. Donahue”
    Mr. Beanfield whispered to her. Mrs. Donahue went on more quietly, “Well, there was that thing , that enormous beast kept by that boy next door. It was eating my rose bushes.”
    “And what did you do?”
    “I didn’t know what to do. I grabbed the first thing at hand…a broom, it was…and rushed out doors. The beast came charging at me and…”
    Buzzzzzzz!
    “Shall we go over that again, Mrs. Donahue?”
    “Well…anyhow, I rushed at it and began to beat it on the head. It snapped at me. Those great teeth…”
    Buzzzzz!
    “Then what happened, Mrs. Donahue?”
    “Well, it turned away, the cowardly thing, and ran out of my yard. I don’t know where it went. But there was my lovely garden, just ruined .” The needle quivered but the buzzer did not sound.
    Greenberg turned to the lawyer. “Mr. Beanfield, have you examined the damage to Mrs. Donahue’s garden?”
    “Yes, your honor.”
    “Will you tell us