THE COSMIC COMPUTER

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existence. The majority relaxed, ashamed of their hysterical reaction.
As for the Cybernarchists and Armageddonists and Human Supremacy
Leaguers, government and private police, vastly augmented by volunteers,
speedily rounded up the leaders; their followers dispersed, realizing
that Merlin was nothing but a lot of dials and buttons, and interestedly
watching the broadcast views of it.

The banks were still closed, but discreet back-door withdrawals were
permitted to keep business going; so was the Stock Exchange, but word
was going around the brokerage offices that Trisystem Investments was in
the market for a long list of securities. Nobody was willing to do
anything that might upset the precarious balance; everybody was talking
about the bright future, when Merlin would guide Poictesme to ever
greater and more splendid prosperity.

Conn's father and sister flew to Litchfield; Flora stayed with her
mother, and Rodney Maxwell returned to Force Command, shaking his head