The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement. Now the Rykes were going to share their vast knowledge with the scientists of Earth. To any question they would supply an answer -- for a price. And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs. . . . And why exactly did the Rykes need to ask that price if their science was that effective?