Jed, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Allen...."

The three stood before him.

"I am taking it upon myself, because of the emergency conditions that
confront us, to declare that the penalty for your crime is continued and
incessant labor at any task the community may see fit to assign you. You
are marked men. Your crime is known to every member of this community.
There will be no escape from the surveillance of your neighbors and
friends. I sentence you to so conduct yourselves in the eyes of these
people that, if we do come through this time of crisis, you may stand
redeemed for all time of the crime which you have committed.

"If you fail to do this, the punishment which will be automatically
imposed is banishment from this community for the duration of the
emergency.

"Court stands adjourned!"

A burst of cheers broke out in the room. The Tuckers and Mr. Allen
looked as if they could not believe what they had heard. Then Jed turned
suddenly and rushed toward Ken.

"It's no good saying I've been a fool, but let me say thanks for your
help."

Mr. Tucker took Ken's other hand. "You'll never regret it, young man.
I'll see to it that you never regret it."

"It's okay," said Ken, almost gruffly. "We've all got a lot of work to
do."

He turned as a figure brushed by them. Mr. Allen pushed through the
crowd to the doorway. He looked at no one.

"We were fools," said Mr. Tucker bitterly. "Brainless, scared fools."

When they were gone, Dr. Aylesworth put his hand on Ken's shoulder.
"That was a mighty fine thing you did. I hope it sets a pattern for all
of us in times to come."

"I didn't do it for them," said Ken. "I did it for myself."

The minister smiled and clapped the boy's shoulder again. "Nevertheless,
you did it. That's what counts."

Chapter 10. _Victory of the Dust_

By the time Ken was through with the ordeal in court, Art Matthews had
succeeded in building an engine from entirely new parts. He had it
installed in an airtight room into which only filtered air could pass.

This room, and another air filter, had been major projects in
themselves. The science club members had done most of the work after
their daily stint at the laboratory, while Art had scoured the town for
parts that would fit together.

At the end of the hearing Ken went to the garage. The engine had been
running for 5 hours then. Art was grinning like a schoolboy who had just
won a spelling bee. "She sure sounds sweet," he said. "I'll