October 20.

            "Good Lord!" Paul Drake exclaimed.  "If we can grab the source of that, we'd have the Brain-Team at their knees!"

            Tragg inquired, "How did you find out about that, Perry?  Certainly you have no ordinary detector."

            Perry smiled.  "I ordered the best and I got the best.  Cost me a pretty penny, too, but it's worth it.  Have you any of this kind of equipment?"

            "Well, no," Tragg admitted.  "The Homicide Squad does not have any cosmic-ray-tracking equipment."  He glanced angrily at Samus.  "Unlike some people!"

            "Hey!" said Samus.  "We don't have that kind of stuff, either, so don't chew me out!"

            Prince Roy (Spike)Koopa, chief of the Larceny Squad, said, "The Larceny Squad has a lot of cosmic-ray-tracking equipment, Perry.  Will that do?"

            "How low in wavelength can it go, Roy?" inquired Perry.

            "Hmm.  If I remember correctly, the best piece of equipment can go to a wavelength of about one one-quintillionth of a nanometre."

            "Excellent, Roy.  Get that piece if it is available.  This time, I believe that the Brain-Team may suffer a great loss."

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid.

            On the evil world of Metroid about two hours later, a meeting was called by the Brain-Team's infamous leader, Prince Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa.  The whole Brain-Team was present.  Bowser Koopa said, "Well, Ludwig, at least they have not found the part that is most critical to our rule:  the power source of Metroid."

            Ludwig argued, "That may be true, Father, but, with our blasted luck, they probably will any instant."

            "So, you have a plan?" asked Bowser.

            "Naturally," said Ludwig.  "Larry will go to the planet Zebes.  He will then grab Hamilton Burger, that darned, smarty-pants prosecutor, and bring him to me."

            Larry said, "Excellent!  You will then either hypnotise him or transfer brains with him, you will influence him to commit a crime or will commit a crime while in his body, and you will release him from hypnosis or re-transfer brains!  It will then make it look like he committed the crime!  Ha, ha, ha!  You are a genius!"

            "Excellent perceptions, Larry.  I shall go with the latter.  I shall also go with the worst of all crimes:  HOMICIDE!!!  Ha, ha, ha, ha!!!"

            "Oh, what a devious plan!  Then, if he is convicted, he'll go to life imprisonment!!!  Ha, ha, ha!!"

            "Not even an eyewitness will know about this evil plan," MotherBrain said.  "Hee, hee, hee!  It is FOOLPROOF!!  Not even the great Perry Mason could prove that we framed Hamilton Burger!"  Panels along the wall shone yellow.  A steady hum marked yellow-alert.  "Someone has found our power source."  She turned on the screen.  "Ha, ha!  The whole stage is set!  The turkey is ready to roast!"

            Ludwig admiringly smiled.  "Such great word choices.  Well, Larry, get out there and grab me Hamilton Burger.  Let's keep a communication link open constantly."

            Larry saluted.  "Yes, O evilly devious brother."  Larry left through the warp marked 'Zebes.'

            Ludwig made his evil grin.  "It will only be a matter of time, mister smarty-pants prosecutor, before you are mine!  Mine!!  MINE!!!  Ha, ha, ha!  This is because I have sent one of my best men on the job!"

            Bowser asked, "How about the cloak?"

            "Engage it," ordered Ludwig.  "We'll see if it works this time!"  Bowser did so.  On the outside, Metroid seemed to melt out of view.  It became invisible.  "Well?"

            "We've cloaked it thermally, visibly, and electromagnetically," said Bowser.

            "SUCCESS!!" Ludwig shouted.  "THE CLOAKING DEVICE IS A SUCCESS!!!"

            * * *

            Planet Zebes.

            At the place on Zebes releasing the power, Roy (Spike)Koopa stopped with his cosmic-ray-detection device.  "There you are, Perry," said Roy, smiling.  "This is where the energy is being released."

            Kevin looked in.  "Wow!  This must go deep, into the centre of the planet!"

            Perry warned, "Be careful!  Any more exposure to the cosmic rays at this time may blind you or damage your skin."

            "I know," Kevin said, backing off.

            Roy made some calculations with his device.  "According to my cosmic-radiation-tracking device, the true source is indeed well within the centre of the planet.  Down there, the amplitude of the cosmic radiation is almost too thin to be tracked by this device.  Very high energy, indeed.  Just a little of this energy could serve Metroid's needs for a year."

            Hamilton said, "Okay, guys.  Let's go down there.  If Perry's theory is correct, we should find the source down there."

            Getting an idea, Simon Belmont all but shouted, "Wait a minute!  We may need a few lookouts out here!"

            "That's a great idea, Simon," said Princess Lana.  "Ludwig and his teamsters may come out here.  And so may Metroid if Ludwig's got his cloaking device working right."

            "If it is all right with you, Chief," Larry (Spike)Koopa said, "I'll stay and look out for those evil perpetrators."

            Samus said, "Okay, Larry.  You do so.  You are, after all, the best man on the Vice Squad."

            Larry said, "Thanks, Chief Samus."

            MegaMan said, "Roll and I'll stay.  We'll mega-blast anyone who gets too close."

            "Lend me a laser-pistol, Tragg," said Hamilton.  "I'm licensed, and I'll blast anyone before they find us."  Tragg did so.

            "I'll stay and watch for those evil characters," said Kevin.

            "All right," Link said.  "The rest of us had better go."  The ones who had volunteered to stay stayed.  The rest took a secret passage to the middle of the planet.  The ones who stayed on the surface spread out to different points of the planet, except MegaMan and Roll stayed together.

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid.

            Back on the evil, cloaked planet Metroid, Ludwig was watching with extreme pleasure.  Ludwig said, "Ha, ha, ha!  They've spread out all over that planet!  The warps will work when the planet is cloaked.  We'll have that prosecuting buffoon before he can say, 'I object, Thine Honour!'  Ha, ha, ha!"

            * * *

            Planet Zebes.

            Back on Zebes, Hamilton Burger was watching his area.  He got a radio transmission.  "Hello, this is Hamilton Burger."

            Kid Icarus answered.  "Hello, Hamilton.  This is Kid Icarus.  How go things up there-icus?"

            "Oh, pretty calm, Kid Icarus.  There is no one up here.  How about things down there?"

            "Fine.  We are near the core-icus.  When we get there, we'll blow that energy source."

            "Fine."

            "Over and out-icus," Kid Icarus said; the transmission was cut.

            "It is too calm up here, in fact.  Ludwig and his darned, crazy army should be here by now."

            Larry (Bowser)Koopa was behind a huge rock.  He contacted Ludwig.  "This is Larry to Ludwig.  Come in, O devious brother."

            Ludwig answered, "Hello, Larry.  How are things going?"

            "Fine.  Ol' Hamilton, however, expects our presence.  He believes that we should be here."

            "Good.  Fill his lungs with sleeping powder, grab him, and warp him back here."

            "Will-do, Ludwig," Larry said, and cut the transmission.  He got out a bag of Ludwig's patented sleeping dust and sprinkled it so that the wind carried it right into Hamilton Burger's nose.

            "Just some dust," said Hamilton.  In a moment, he sneezed, yawned, and crashed to the ground, asleep.  Larry leapt out, grabbed him, and carried him in the warp to Metroid.

            * * *

            Ludwig's Laboratory, adjacent to the Control Room, Metroid.

            Back on the still-cloaked Metroid, Ludwig carried out stage two of his plan:  transferring his brain with Hamilton's.  When the transfer ended, Ludwig awakened up in Hamilton's body, and Hamilton was sleeping in Ludwig's body.  Ludwig, within Hamilton's body, said (sounding like Hamilton), "Perfect!  When I take him to the scene of the crime in his own body, I shall re-awaken him.  In the meantime, make sure that he stays asleep while I'm gone."

            Larry said, "Right, Ludwig.  I shall tell everyone that everything is going as planned."  Within Hamilton's body, Ludwig nodded, winked at Larry, and left through the warp to Zebes.

            * * *

            Planet Zebes.

            Once on Zebes in Hamilton's body, Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa did as Hamilton was supposed to do.  Meanwhile, near Zebes's core, the N-Team arrived.

            "Wow!" exclaimed Iggy (Spike)Koopa.

            "This must be the core!" exclaimed Lemmy.

            "So correct," said Roy.

            "It is apparent that MotherBrain fortified this place before using the planet as her fortress," Link said.  "If we get through the barrier constructed here, it will be little effort to destroy the core."

            Wendy said, "Well, everyone, let's find a way to destroy it."

            Morton said, "Easy, Wendy.  We shall."

            Ludwig said, "Yes.  There is no need to get upset about it."

            Andy got his six-shooter pistol.  "Maybe some good, old-fashioned bullets will put a crimp in this darn thing's style."  Andy fired the gun at the core barrier, but the bullets harmlessly bounced off.

            "Then again," Spike said, "maybe not."

            Luigi said, "Mario, maybe Hammer Brother Hammers will work."

            "It is worth a try, Luigi," agreed Mario.  They put on Hammer Brother Suits and then fired the mentioned kinds of hammers at the core barrier, but they, too, harmlessly bounced off.

            Toad said, "Maybe Hammers are out, too."

            Zelda said, "Perhaps my energy-arrows will work."  Zelda drew her bow and pulled back the bowstring, an energy-arrow formed in the proper place; she aimed; and she let go of the string, sending the arrow made of sheer energy at the cosmic-ray-producing core.  All that happened when the energy-arrow struck the core was that sound that Tetris blocks made in the NES game 'Tetris' when they hit the bottom. . . 'splat!'

            Yoshi said, "The energy arrows will not work, either."

            Queen Toadstool said, "Spike, can you try your sceptre?"

            "Sure," Spike said.  "I'll fix that core."  He drew his sceptre, aimed it at the core, and fired.  This ray destroyed the core, and the energy source for Metroid was destroyed.

            Kid Icarus exclaimed, "WE DID IT-ICUS!!!"

            Lana said, "Yes."  The ground began to rumble.  "Uh, oh!  What's that?"

            Roy said, "The base on this planet is about to blow!  We can get out of here if we hurry!"

            Lana said,  "Then, let's get out of here before it blows."  They all raced out.  They contacted the ones who had remained on the surface.  The whole N-Team met at the warp to the Palace of Power. . . and so, too, did Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa in Hamilton Burger's body.  They all then warped to the Palace.  Right after that, the base on Planet Zebes exploded.

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid.

            On Metroid, MotherBrain watched this event nervously.  "Well, there goes our good old source of power."

            In came the whole Brain-Team.  Wisenheimer said, "And here comes the good NEW source of power!"

            Bowser said, "Good work, Wisenheimer {wahy-zehn-hahy-muhr}."

            Wisenheimer all but shouted, "That is Wisenheimer {vih-zehn-hahy-mehr}!!"

            Bowser got out his sceptre and fried the wizard with a strong electrical blast from it.  "DO NOT CORRECT ME, WISENHEIMER {VIH-ZEHN-HAHY-MEHR}!!!  I CAN CALL YOU WHATEVER I WANT TO CALL YOU!!!  SO, SHUT UP, YOU WHIMPERING SAP!!!"

            The evil Doctor Wily said, "This device is a work of pure genius, if I do say so myself."

            Eggplant Wizard asked, "What does it do?"

            "Well, uh, it. . . what does it do, ProtoMan?" asked King Hippo.

            ProtoMan said, "It generates electrical power from nuclear energy.  It uses nuclear fusion to combine single atoms, then uses high-speed neutrons to split the helium nuclei, therefore causing two nuclear reactions for the price of one.  It also generates more power and less nuclear waste that way.  This power source is by far better than what we were using."

            Roy said, "Yes.  With this, we need no electricity.  It will generate ten thousand times more power than the cosmic radiation."

            Wendy asked, "So, when we lost Zebes, we suffered no major loss?"

            Mouser said, "Exactly, Princess Wendy {vehn-dé}.  Zebes's explosion was part of Ludwig's plan to get Burger on the wrong side of the tracks."

            Koopa-Troopa asked, "What is nucular fusion?"

            "That is nuclear, not nucular," said Morton.  "And nuclear fusion is the process by which two atomic nuclei combine.  Most nuclei in this machine only contain one proton.  That is a protium nucleus, or the nucleus of a hydrogen atom with an atomic mass of one.  Only protons and neutrons contribute to the atomic mass."

            Try-Clyde said, "I knew that."

            Lemmy began, "So, since we have made this the power source for Metroid,. . ."

            ". . .we need not have another power source," finished Iggy.

            Bowser said, "Such brain-children I've brought up, MotherBrain."

            In warped Mother Koopa, who said, "Right, for once.  They sure do not take after you, you fool!"

            Bowser turned and all but exclaimed, "Mama!  What a wonderful surprise!  I did not know that you were coming for a visit, or I would have. . ."

            "Can the pleasantries, Bowser," she interrupted.  "If I wanted to gab with someone, I would have gone to the gossip fence back home."  Larry showed her to a seat.  "I'm so glad that your children have not become as dumb as you."

            MotherBrain shouted, "NOW WAIT A MINUTE, MOTHER!!!  IF HE WERE DUMB, HE WOULD NOT HAVE MARRIED ME!!!"

            "Oh, you are correct," Mother Koopa complied.  "I am so sorry.  Hey!  What became of Ludwig?"

            "My darling stepson," said MotherBrain, "is performing a devious plot."

            "Yes," interjected Bowser, "so why do you not take a hike?"

            "Why, I have never been so insulted in my whole life!" Mother Koopa exclaimed.

            "Chill out, you two!" commanded Larry.  "Your fighting gets on my nerves!"

            MotherBrain added, "Their fighting gets quite on my nerves, too!"

            "You heard the lady," objected Mother Koopa.

            "Yes, well you started it!" Bowser pointed out.

            "How," inquired Mother Koopa, "did I start it?"

            "You started it by coming here for a visit!" Bowser shouted.

            "Well, excu-u-u-u-u-u-u-u-u-use me!!" plead Mother Koopa.

            "THERE ISN'T ANY DARNED EXCUSE FOR YOU!!!" yelled Bowser.

            "SHUT THE HECK UP, BOTH OF YOU!!!!!" MotherBrain, Larry, Roy, Wendy, Morton, Lemmy, Iggy, Eggplant Wizard, King Hippo, Dr. Wily, ProtoMan, Mouser, Wisenheimer, and a turquoise-shelled Koopa-Troopa all shouted at the same time.  Then they all shouted, "WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU TWO?!?!?"

            MotherBrain said, "Oh, what I would not give to have Ludwig here to settle this argument."

            Larry nodded.  "True.  I hope, though, that his scheme is working like a dream!  Ha, ha, ha!  I know that the cloaking device is."

            * * *

            October 23.

            Perry Mason's Office, Legal Complex, Palace of Power.

            In Hamilton Burger's office, Donovan Fraser, Hamilton Burger's deputy attorney, eyed the prosecutor in a cautious manner.  He had never seen the manner in which Ludwig was behaving in Hamilton's body used before by Hamilton.

            He knew that there was something amiss.  Rather than coming in and saying Hamilton's usual "Hello" or "Good morning" to Fraser, Ludwig walked by, nodded Hamilton's head, and went straight into Hamilton's office.

            Finally, after a couple of days, Fraser went through the door marked "Perry Mason - Attorney at Law."  He went to Gertie's desk (Gertie being Perry's receptionist) and asked to see Perry.  She phoned Perry, and, in a moment, Della came out.  She greeted, "Good morning, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Donovan Fraser.  It is an honour to have you here.  What can we do for you?"

            Fraser greeted, "Good morning, Miss Della Street.  I hope that Mr. Mason can squeeze me into his schedule."

            Della made an inward motion with her hand.  "Well, come right in.  We have time for a visit."  She and Fraser entered the office.

            "Good morning, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Donovan Fraser.  What brings you to my office?" greeted and asked Perry.

            Fraser and Perry shook hands, then Fraser got down to business.  "Good morning.  It is Hamilton," Fraser said.  "He has been acting strangely ever since you shut down Metroid's power source."  He sat down in the chair in front of Perry's desk when Perry indicated it.

            "What can I do, Fraser?" asked Perry.  "Is there any more specific evidence you can give me?"

            "Well, as a matter of fact," Fraser said, "I do have more specific evidence.  The mere fact that Hamilton used to greet me every single morning and then stopping very abruptly could possibly be evidence."

            "Evidence of what?" Perry asked.

            "Well, evidence that he - dare I say it - is literally 'not himself.' "

            "Go on."

            "It began the day after you blew up Zebes.  He has even been writing with his left hand.  The last time I checked, he was right-handed."

            "That is right.  Hamilton is right-handed.  For him to change suddenly to being left-handed is highly irregular.  He is not ambidextrous, as far as I know.  Della, check something for me, will you?"

            "What," asks Della, "do you need?"

            "I want you," says Perry, "to find out if any of our adversaries is left-handed or ambidextrous."

            "Okay," Della said.  "I'll do it."  She left through the door going directly to the hallway.

            "And what shall I do, Perry?" asked Fraser.

            "Well, you will play it safe, Assistant Attorney," said Perry with a smile.  "Do not do anything rash.  That is the best way to do it.  If you do, make sure that Lt. Tragg, Lt. Anderson, Chief Aran, Chief Roy (Spike)Koopa, or Lt. Larry (Spike)Koopa is with you."

            "Okay, Perry.  I'll see you later."  Fraser and Perry shook hands.  Fraser then left.  Paul made his code-knock at the door marked PRIVATE.  Perry opened the door to let him in.

            "Hello," Perry said.  "What's up?"

            "Hello," Paul said.  "Nothing much at the moment.  Did I miss the one who was conversing with you?"

            "Yes," Perry said, "you missed him.  You did not miss him by much, though.  He just left the office."

            "Who is it?"

            "The Assistant Attorney for VideoLand, Donovan Fraser."

            "That guy who used to be such an eager-beaver?"

            "That's right.  He reported several strange actions of Hamilton Burger, including the fact that Hamilton began writing with his left hand."

            "Wow!  Do you mean to tell me that Hamilton is ambidextrous now?"

            "That is not very likely.  I just sent Della to see if any of our adversaries writes with his or her left hand or is ambidextrous."

            "That was a wasted trip, Perry.  I just checked the records out of curiosity.  There is only one possible suspect among our enemies:  Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa.  He is ambidextrous, though he usually writes left-handed."

            "Are you sure, Paul?"

            "Absolutely, Perry.  Remember that the dirty, rotten rat made a device which transferred brains?"

            "Oh, sure, Paul.  I guess that he saw his opportunity:  while we were on Zebes, he came, grabbed Hamilton, switched brains with him, and was going to commit a crime in his body.  He would then restore the brains and make it look as though Hamilton committed the crime."

            "You're a brain-child, Perry.  They have Hamilton down at headquarters."

            "Headquarters?"

            "Yes.  He was found having committed first-degree-murder."

            "On whom?"

            "One of his assistant attorneys in the lower ranks.  Hamilton wrote out a confession with his left hand!"  Suddenly, while Paul ended his first sentence in the middle of his explanation, the phone on Perry's desk rang crazily three times.

            "Uh, oh, Paul.  Here comes. . ."  Before Perry could finish, Lieutenant Arthur Tragg and Lieutenant Andy Anderson came in.

            "Well, well, well!" exclaimed Tragg.  "You will not be making the fool of me twice.  We have Hamilton Burger down at headquarters.  He signed a confession which stated that he murdered his lowest-ranking assistant attorney."

            "With which hand did he sign the confession?" asked Perry smugly.

            "You know darn well that that does not make one big, fat, blasted heck of a difference!" Tragg blurted out.  Then, the torch lit above his head.  "Wait a minute!  I did notice something funny, now that you mention it!  Hamilton signed the confession with his left hand!  He is right-handed; also he isn't ambidextrous!"

            "I am glad you noticed, Tragg.  It makes my theory most legitimate."

            "What theory?  Oh!  You are not going to get us caught in heck again so that the Homicide Squad looks stupid, Perry!"

            "Calm down.  My theory," Perry said, "deals with the possibility that, while we were at Zebes, Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa could have captured Hamilton, switched brains with him, and returned and committed that murder to make it like Hamilton did it.  Paul did research and found out that Ludwig is our only adversary in VideoLand who could write with his left hand."

            Sarcastically, Tragg said, "What a piece of news, Perry!  You ought to broadcast it!  You are a. . ."

            "That," interrupted Andy, "will be enough, Tragg.  Your theory, Perry, is the best possible explanation.  Now, let us test it.  Paul, would you be kind enough to go to Her Highness, Princess Lana, and ask her for a search warrant?"

            "Sure, Andy," said Paul, "but where do you want to search?"

            "I have the distinct feeling," said Andy, "that MotherBrain will be very upset when we invade Metroid with that search warrant."

            Paul smiled, then said, "Good thinking, Andy.  I'll be going."  Paul left.  In a few minutes, Perry, Della, Paul, Tragg, and Andy were all in Perry's office.

            "So," Della said, "I wasted my time."

            Perry said, "Well, Della, if I had known that Paul knew the information, I would not have sent you."

            "I got the search warrant," Paul said.  "Now, let's burst into Metroid and search like crazy."

            "Right," agreed Perry.  "We'll search that planet upside-down if necessary."

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid.

            Later, on Metroid, MotherBrain decided to decloak the planet.  A few minutes after she had done that, the doorbell rang.  MotherBrain said with a smile, "Well, well.  We have guests.  Let them in, Eggplant Wizard."

            Eggplant Wizard, going over to the door, said, "Yes, Queen MotherBrain."  He cautiously opened the door.  "Who's there?"

            Lt. Tragg burst open the door.  When it hinged back, it squashed Eggplant Wizard between itself and the wall.  "The entire Homicide Squad is here, MotherBrain.  Tell us where Hamilton Burger's brain is, and we'll go awfully darned easy on you."

            "My lips," MotherBrain argued, "are zipped!"

            Morton yakked, "So are mine!  I won't say a word.  Not one single word!  It's none of my never-mind where Hamilton Burger's brain is.  It is not I who should tell you.  I do not go poking my nose in other people's business. . . nosirree."  Quietly, Lt. Tragg activated his portable tape recorder.  "I am not telling you that Larry put Hamilton Burger to sleep on Zebes and brought him here so Ludwig could transfer brains with him and go, in Hamilton's body, back to Zebes and murder someone.  It was not my idea.  Hamilton Burger's brain is in Ludwig's body.  Ludwig's brain is in Hamilton Burger's body.  Hamilton Burger's body is in your stinking police department, and Ludwig's body is in his bedroom here on Metroid.  But, as I said, I do not say a word. . . not one single word.  You got a search warrant?"

            Andy got it out of his coat.  "Yes, Morton.  This is it.  By this search warrant, we can search anywhere on this huge, brain-shaped planet we want to.  You are also to give us anything we need that you have and to remain decloaked."

            "Oh, all right," MotherBrain said with a disdainful tone.  "Do your little search."  Andy and Perry went into Ludwig's room.  They saw Ludwig on his bed.  Perry awakened 'Ludwig' with smelling salts.

            Hamilton Burger, in Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa's body, woke up and said, "Oh, where am I?"  He looked up at Perry and Andy.  "Hello, Perry.  Hello, Andy.  Where the heck am I?"

            "Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa's body and bedroom," said Perry, his face totally devoid of expression.  For some reason, he wanted to laugh his head off.

            Hamilton Burger sprang out of Ludwig's bed, looked in the mirror, and shouted, "WHAT?!?!?  HOW THE HECK DID THIS HAPPEN?!?!?"

            Andy calmly said, "Calm down, Hamilton.  Larry (Bowser)Koopa put a sleeping spell on you and dragged you back to Metroid, and Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa exchanged brains with you, left for Zebes, and just committed a crime in your body."

            Hamilton said, "Whom the heck did he kill?"

            "He killed," Perry said calmly, "your lowest-positioned assistant attorney."

            "He did WHAT?!?" Hamilton shouted again.  "Why does he have to frame every darn person in this universe?!?!?"

            "Calm down, Hamilton," Perry says, soothingly.  "The police have him - in your body - in custody."

            "Why, I'll prosecute his fat, ugly butt off!!!" Hamilton shouted.

            "Watch it, Hamilton," Tragg said while coming in.  "You are in his 'fat, ugly butt.' "  Tragg picked up a device on the table next to Ludwig's bed.  "Well, what have we here?  It looks like his brain-exchanger device.  And this on this other table.  It looks like his sceptre."  He took the sceptre.  When they all got ready to leave, Tragg said sweetly, "Thank you for your co-operation, MotherBrain."

            "The pleasure," MotherBrain said, "ain't mine."  Tragg, Andy, and Perry left for the jail.  As soon as they left she bashed her face against the front of her jar.  "Darn it!  Why the heck did you let me disengage the cloaking device, Eggplant Wizard?"

            "Me?" asked Eggplant Wizard.  MotherBrain fried him.  "Yow!"

            "Don't let me do it again!"

            * * *

            Palace Jail, Palace of Power.

            Perry, Tragg, Andy, and Hamilton (Hamilton being in Ludwig's body, of course) arrived at the jail cell in which Ludwig was residing (Ludwig being in Hamilton's body, of course).  Ludwig, in Hamilton's body, said, "What?  I thought. . ."

            "I know," Hamilton interrupted, "you thought that you would get away with this.  Give me back my body, and I'll forget this little incident."

            "Easy," Tragg said.  "I'll take care of that."  He fired Ludwig's sceptre at Ludwig and Hamilton.  Hamilton's body appeared on the outside of the cell and Ludwig's on the inside.

            Hamilton, back in his own body, said, "Thank you, Lt. Tragg."

            "Do not mention it," said Tragg.  "As for you, Ludwig, you have a trial to which to look forward."

            "Heck, no!" Ludwig exclaimed.  He opened his hand.  His sceptre flew from Tragg's hand to his hand.  He then opened a warp to Metroid with the sceptre.  "As Dad always says, 'He who Koopeth and runneth away liveth to Koop another day!' "  He warped back to Metroid.

            "Oh, nuts!" exclaimed Paul.  "He's gotten away again!"

            Hamilton angrily outburst, "That evil turtle gives criminals a terrible name!!  Why does he not go to the place where all unbelievers go when they die?"

            "He ought to," says Perry.  "Let's go.  I have a feeling that those Bowser Koopas will dream up another plan."

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid.

            Larry "Cheatsy" (Bowser)Koopa, always a very sneaky Koopaling in his ways and mentality, was searching through the vast crowdedness of his evil, twisted brain for a plot that would put the Mason-Team subdivision of the N-Team out of business permanently.  As the main judge within the Supreme Court of Koopa, he had to - and usually did - think quickly about the situation at hand, analyse the bare facts, and make a decision within seconds.  With his great repartee, his twistedly evil brain was complete.  He was now trying to analyse the situation for his wicked older brother.  He said, "So, Ludwig, Thy Extreme Evilness needeth an underhanded scheme to end the Mason-Team, true?"

            "True," Ludwig answered.  "That is why I came to you, brother.  You are the best judge of the Koopa-Courts.  Your excellence in the subject is well-known.  I do hope that. . ."

            The evil Larry interrupted, "Hang on. . . hang on. . . something's registering. . ."  His lips rounded up to show something devious was brewing within his brain.  The ends of his lips practically went up to his eyes.  He rubbed his hands together as though someone had stepped into and fallen for one of his evil traps.  "Hee, hee, hee!  Incredible!  Unthinkable!  Extremely evil!  Hee, hee, hee!  I have the PERFECT plan!  Hee, hee, hee!"

            Ludwig anxiously asked, "What is it?"

            "It is truly evil!  It is extremely horrible!  It would put even the legendary Perry Mason behind bars for life. . . which it hopefully will."

            "What?!?  What?!?" asked Ludwig, who was getting more anxious.

            "What do you and the rest of the family know," asked Larry, "to be my favourite things?"

            "Well, let me see," Ludwig says.  "There is evilness, despicableness, sneakiness, craziness, meanness, and - oh, my gosh!"

            "And what?" Larry egged on.

            "And H - E - T - E - R - O - S - E - X - U - A - L - space - I - N - T - E - R - C - O - U - R - S - E!"

            "Almost," Larry said.  "Actually, it is N - A - K - E - D - space - F - E - M - A - L - E - S, but that other one is extremely close to being among the group, and it's more integral to my plot."

            "Oh, yes," Ludwig said.  "Your point then?"

            "Ah, yes.  My plan is to. . ."  He whispered the rest of the information into Ludwig's ear.

            After hearing the plan, Ludwig fell on his back and broke out in loud, crazy, uncontrolled laughter.  "WHAT A PLAN!!!  EVERYONE WILL THINK THAT PERRY MASON WILL HAVE COMMITTED A NASTY CRIME!!!  HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA!!!  SAMUS WILL BE ON HIM LIKE A BAT OUT OF HECK!!!"  Within a minute or two, Ludwig had gained control of himself.  "That plan will have Perry Mason in the prison within one second!  But who will actually commit the crime?"

            "Who the heck do you think?" asked Larry.  "ME!!!"

            "Sure, why not?" he said pleasantly.  He then thought seriously.  "No.  Wait a minute!  So you can get AIDS, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhoea, or pubic lice again?!?" Ludwig demanded indignantly.

            "Uh, brother, let's just. . ."

            "YOU THINK I'M A WALKING MEDICINE BOTTLE, DO YOU NOT?!?  YOU ARE SO INFATUATED BY EVERY HUMANOID FEMALE THAT WALKS BY THAT I OUGHT TO GIVE YOU A CURSÈD SHOT TO INCREASE YOUR BETTER JUDGEMENT, AND IT WILL MAKE YOUR VAST BRAIN CELLS REALISE THAT HAVING S - E - X IS NOT THE ANSWER TO YOUR PROBLEM!!!  YOUR PROBLEM IS THAT YOUR SEXUAL FUNCTIONS OVERRIDE YOUR BETTER JUDGEMENT, AND THEY CAUSE YOU TO BECOME OVERLY INFATUATED!!!"

            "Okay, okay!  If you do not want me to do it, who will do it?"

            "How about we do another murder instead?  I'm not too hot on sex, anyway, you know."

            "Okay," Larry said.  "I thought I could have some fun.  Who is going to do this one?"

            "Who the heck do you think?"  Ludwig whispered the information into Larry's ear.

            * * *

            October 24.

            Perry Mason's Office, Palace of Power.

            Perry Mason entered his office.  Della Street greeted him by saying, "Good morning, Perry."

            "Good morning," Perry replied.  "How are you today?"

            "I am fine," Della said.  "How about yourself?"

            "I'm fine," Perry said.  "Guess what today is?  The twenty-fourth, the unluckiest day of October in VideoLand."

            "Well, the bad luck may come to Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa and his gang."

            "That's right," Perry said.  "Somehow, though, I think that the bad luck is going to come to me instead."  The telephone on Perry's desk blatted out three loud rings.  "Well, here comes. . ."

            "Here come," interrupted Lt. Tragg as he and Andy entered the office, "Lieutenant Arthur Tragg and Lieutenant Andy Anderson.  I suppose you wonder why we came here.  Paul would have reported to you that we were coming, but we regret that we had to detain him at headquarters so he couldn't."

            "Why," asked Perry, "is Paul down at headquarters, Tragg?"

            Andy replied, "We had to question him, Perry.  This is twenty-fourth of August.  A murder has been committed last night."

            "A murder?" said Perry, pretending to be shocked.

            "Don't pretend to be shocked!  And guess who was murdered," Tragg said enthusiastically.  "It was the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Donovan Fraser."

            "Who is the suspect?" asked Perry.

            "We'll tell you," Andy said, "but I think you'd better brace yourself.  It's Della."

            "ME?!?!?!?" Della practically yelled.  "Why?"

            "Your fingerprints," explained Tragg, "were all over the supposed murder weapon.  Do you carry a gun?"

            "Yes," Della said, "and I have a licence, but what would my gun be doing at the murder site?"

            "Better yet," Tragg said, while pulling out a warrant, "I have a warrant for your arrest for the first-degree murder of Donovan Fraser.  By the way, is the gun you own a Smith and Wesson Revolver .37 Laser-Calibre with the ID numbers 78293?"

            "I'm sorry to say," Della admitted, "that that is the precise gun I own."

            "Okay, let's go down to the station," Andy said.  "Perry, there is something you should know, too."

            "What's that?" Perry said.

            "You are unable to defend Della personally," said Andy, "because of court order."

            "Court order?!?" Perry all but shouted indignantly.  "Why should I not be permitted to defend my own secretary?!?"

            "Take that up with Hamilton," said Andy, "because he said himself that he was going to defend Della."

            Said Perry, "Well, I'll just go upstairs and have a chat with him."  Hamilton made a code knock on the door marked PRIVATE.  "Come in."  Hamilton came in.  "Hello, Hamilton."

            "Hello, Perry," Hamilton said.  "Gee, Perry, I thought I'd come down and pay my respects.  You've heard about Della?"

            "Yes," Perry said.  "Tragg has just taken her away.  What about it?"

            "Well, I have a proposition for you.  Della would never murder my best man.  Someone stole her laser-pistol, shot Fraser, and left the whole darn thing dumped on Della.  I want to defend her, Perry.  Will you settle for a partnership agreement on this case?"

            "Yes, I shall."

            "I know, Perry.  This is twenty-fourth of October.  This must be Della's bad luck day, but she is going to have at least one ounce of good luck.  We'll both be defending her."  Perry and Hamilton shook hands.

            "I guess that is good luck.  Well, Hamilton, could you call Paul and. . ."  Just then, Paul made a code knock on the door marked PRIVATE.  "Come in, Paul."  Paul came in.  "What is it?"

            "Well," Paul said, "scuttlebutt at the station is the thought that Della murdered Donovan Fraser.  I was detained against my will."

            "I know," Perry said.  "Lieutenant Tragg just took Della away."

            "I know," said Paul.  "Tragg released me when he showed up with her."  The phone rang.

            Perry picked it up and said, "What is it, Gertie? . . . Oh, she is? . . . Well, send her in."  He hung up.  "It is Chief Samus Aran."  In came the Chief of the Vice Squad, Samus Aran.

            "Hello, Perry," Samus said.  "Oh, Andy's here, Hamilton's here, Paul's here, and Della's not here.  It can only mean that you know what's going on."

            Perry inquired, "Why are you working on the case, Samus?"

            "Unlike several members of the Homicide Squad," Samus said, "most members of the Vice Squad believe that Della is not guilty.  I happen to be one of the members who believes that she is not guilty.  I shall, however, supervise that crazy Lieutenant Tragg in looking for evidence."

            "Okay," Perry said.  "You do so.  I have a feeling that some intense searching must be done to find the real murderer."

            "The preliminary hearing," said Andy, "is in a couple of hours.  If there is not enough defence evidence, she will be bound over for jury trial in superior court."

            "Let's get to work.  We have not much time," Perry said.

            * * *

            Palace Courtroom, Palace of Power.

            The courtroom was filled with several spectators.  Included was the entire Brain-Team.  The bailiff of the court was Kevin, who said, "All shall rise for the honourable Judge Lana."  Princess Lana, in her judge's robes, came in and sat down at the judge's bench.  She brought down her gavel on the gavel block.  "I shall remind the court that 'thou' is the second-person personal pronoun used singularly in this court; 'you' is used plurally."

            "The lowest court of the Supreme Court of VideoLand is called to order," said Lana.  "Mr. Carl Snell, read the charges against the defendant."

            Carl Snell, a deputy attorney who had just become Hamilton Burger's best man, read the charges.  "The government of VideoLand chargeth the defendant, Miss Della Street, with murder in the second degree of Mr. Donovan Fraser, the late assistant attorney working for the government of VideoLand.  We shall, in this hearing, try to bring all facts forward which point at the case.  We shall also try to provide any possible motives for the murder."

            "What," asked Lana, "is the plea, counsel?"

            Up stood Perry and Hamilton.  "Our plea," said Hamilton, "is not guilty, Thine Honour."

            "Now that we're through with the preliminaries, call thy first witness, Mr. Snell," ruled Lana.

            "My first witness," said Snell, "is the arresting officer, Lieutenant Arthur Tragg."  Tragg got up and was sworn.  "Now, Lt. Tragg, what unusual observations didst thou make of the decedent, Donovan Fraser?"

            Tragg answered, "I found that the bullet had embedded itself in the wall.  It had blood and hair stains all over it.  The murder weapon was the gun belonging to the defendant, Miss Della Street.  The gun had her fingerprints all over it.  Apparently, the prints were somehow smeared.  The gun was a Smith and Wesson Revolver .37 Laser-Calibre with the ID numbers 78293."

            Snell got a gun off his desk.  "And is this the revolver about which thou art talking?" asked he.

            After examining the pistol, Tragg said, "Yes, I believe so."

            * * *

            The ballistics expert, MegaMan, was on the stand.  "Cause of death," said MegaMan, "was by this laser-bullet, People's Exhibit B.  Its path of travel was right through the stomach of the decedent."

            * * *

            Dr. Wright, the autopsy surgeon, said, "Yes, I agree with Ballistics Expert MegaMan.  The stomach was the most vulnerable spot.  The decedent had a slight ulcer in his stomach at the time of the fatal shooting."

            "Thank you," said Snell.  "Your witness, defence."

            Hamilton and Mason got up at the same time.  "Now, Dr. Wright," asked Mason, "the path of travel for the laser-bullet was in the right and out the left?"

            "I object," retorted Snell.  "The paths of entrance and exit are not determinable.  We know that the laser-bullet went in one side and went out the other."

            "Overruled," ruled Lana.  "The witness may answer."

            Wright said, "Thy theory is correct, Mr. Mason."

            "Then," said Hamilton, "thou wouldst not mind telling us why the bullet had hairs on it."

            Wright said, "There are usually body hairs on the skin surrounding the stomach.  I believe that that is thine explanation."

            "Thank you," said Hamilton.

            "Thank you," said Perry.  "We are through with the witness."

            "The witness," ruled Lana, "may step down.  Call your next witness, Snell."

            Snell said, "I feel I have established a prima facie case, Thine Honour, and I move that the defendant be bound over for jury trial in superior court."

            Hamilton sprang up.  "ARE YOU KIDDING?!?" he halfway shouted.  "YOUR. . . I MEAN THY CASE HAS MORE HOLES IN IT THAN SWISS CHEESE!!!"

            Perry calmly got up.  "I am inclined to agree with my fellow defence counsel.  The case does not seem to be watertight."

            "If I may remind the defence counsel," Snell impatiently though calmly said, "this is only a preliminary hearing.  We need not present a watertight case; we must only present enough evidence to bound the defendant over for jury trial."

            Hamilton and Perry simultaneously snapped, "And may we remind thee of the fact that thou saidst that thou wouldst try to bring out all the evidence in this case!"

            "I still rest my case," Snell said.  "Present your defence case if you wish."

            "We have no case right now, Thine Honour," said Perry.  "We haven't sufficient evidence.  We request a recess so we can gather evidence."

            Lana said, "Has the prosecutor any objections?"

            Snell said, "Certainly I have an objection!  This is uncalled-for delaying of the hearing!"

            "Forget it," Lana ruled.  "Considering the hour, this is a good time to recess.  Court is in recess until 13.45 this afternoon."  She brought down her gavel.  Everyone stood just before she exited.

            As Lana left, Jackson, Mason's assistant attorney, said, "Perry, they do have plenty of holes in their case."

            Lt. Steve Drumm and Sgt. Brice of the Homicide Squad came up.  Drumm said, "Hello, Perry, Hamilton, and Jackson.  Kid Icarus came to L.A. to get me.  He explained the situation.  What's do you need?"  Drumm was about as tall as Mason, and he had black hair and a dark suit.  Brice was a little shorter and wider around the middle.

            Hamilton said, "We need you, Sgt. Brice, and Paul to do some work for us."

            Brice said, "Well, Hamilton, I'll do it for you, but not for Perry, because he. . ."

            "Never mind the shenanigans," Drumm ordered.

            "You may want to investigate," Hamilton advised, "that darn deputy attorney of mine."

            "You mean Carl Snell himself?" Paul Drake asked.

            "I mean him, Paul," Hamilton said.  "I have my suspicions about him.  Also, ring up Maurice Linton at my office.  He may help you investigate.  Pay a call on Metroid, too.  I have a feeling that they're behind this murder."

            "Get as many of your assistants as you can on the job, Paul," Perry ordered.

            "Right," Paul said.  "Unfortunately, if they've perfected it, they can engage their cloaking device, and then we won't be able to open any warps there!"

            "I doubt it," said Perry.  "Get going."  Paul left.

            Kevin came up and said, "Perry, will you get Della off the hook?  For some reason, I just know that she did not murder Donovan Fraser."

            Drumm said, "That's why he has us on the job, Kevin.  We'll bring the murderer to justice."

            "Then I'll help you," Kevin said.  "I'll make sure that no one gets in your way."

            Before leaving, MotherBrain yelled, "LIKE HECK THOU WILT!!!  Hee, hee, hee!!"

            "Why, that evil, crazy brain!" exclaimed Kevin.  "She ought to suck the most sour lemon juice in the world!"

            "Yes," said Perry, "that is true.  Let's get to work.  It is only a few hours before court reconvenes."

            * * *

            Perry Mason's Office.

            Perry was pacing the floor of his office.  A trio of rings was blasted out by the phone on Perry's desk.  In burst Lieutenant Tragg.  "Hello, Tragg," said Perry.

            Lt. Tragg blasted out at Perry, "Do not even dare to even mutter 'hello' to me!  I know what the heck you're trying to do!  You're trying to make the Homicide Department look darned stupid again!  You have Steve on your darned side!"

            "Why is it any of your business?" asked Perry.

            Lt. Andy Anderson came in.  "I'll explain to him, Tragg," he said.  "Perry, Steve found some evidence that may be very interesting."

            "Good news," asked Perry, "or bad news?"

            "I'LL TELL YOU WHAT THE HELL IT IS, PERRY!!!" exploded Tragg again.  "IT'S BAD NEWS FOR US AND GOOD NEWS FOR YOU!!!  YOU GET ALL THE DARNED BREAKS!!!"  A few code knocks sounded on the PRIVATE door.

            "Come in, Paul, Hamilton, Steve, and Brice," said Perry.  In came Kevin, Paul Drake, Hamilton Burger, Lt. Steve Drumm, and Sgt. Brice.

            Kevin said, "You lucked out, Mr. Mason!"

            "Why, Kevin?" asked Perry.  "Will someone please tell me what is going on around here?"

            Hamilton said, "I'd be delighted, Perry.  We have some evidence from Maurice Linton that may prove to be Carl Snell's undoing."

            Calmly, Perry once again asked, "Why?"

            "Well," Paul says, "it's like this. . ."

            * * *

            Palace Courtroom.

            "Court will come to order," said Lana, pounding down her gavel at the reconvening of court.  "Will the prosecutor please state formally whether or not he wishes to continue his case against the defendant?"

            Snell said, "I have no more witnesses.  I move that the defendant, Miss Della Street, be bound over for jury trial in Superior Court on the charge of murder in the second degree."

            Lana inquired, "Does defence wish to present a case at this time?"

            Jackson stood at the defence table.  "We do, Thine Honour," he stated.  "As our first witness, we wish to call Mr. Maurice Linton who has been subpoenaed."

            "Mr. Maurice Linton will rise and be sworn," Lana ordered.  Linton got up, was sworn, stated his name and occupation, and took the stand.

            "I ask thee," Jackson said, "if the defendant had any reason to kill the decedent, Mr. Donovan Fraser."

            "Definitely not," answered Linton in a rather harsh tone.

            "I apologise if I offended you, Mr. Linton.  I now ask you if the prosecutor had any reason to kill the defendant."

            Snell literally bounced out of his chair and practically screamed, "I OBJECT!!!"

            "Because of thine attitude," Lana ruled, "I am going to overrule your objection.  The witness shall answer."

            Linton said, "He definitely did have something to gain.  The assistant attorney is the position of legality in VideoLand in which any greedy person would like to be.  Fraser earned his position.  I would say that, yes, Mr. Snell had reason to kill Fraser."

            Hamilton got up.  "Mr. Linton, is there anyone who could tell that to Snell?"

            "Objection!" exclaimed Snell again.

            "Overruled," Lana once again ruled.  "Answer the question."

            "Well," Linton said, "Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa could have told him that."

            "HA!!!" shouted Burger triumphantly.  "AND HOW DOST THOU KNOW THAT THIS COULD OCCUR?!?"

            "I overheard von(Bowser)Koopa informing the prosecutor that this could happen," said Linton.  "Von(Bowser)Koopa gave the idea to Snell.  I have the audio-tape to prove it."

            "Excellent," said Hamilton.  "I have no further questions."

            "I have no further questions," said Jackson.

            Without lifting his eyes from putting notes on his portable laptop computer, Mason said, "No questions.  Thy witness."

            "Grrrr!" said Snell, slowly ascending from his seat.  "No questions."

            Lana said, "Thou mayest step down, Mr. Linton.  Call thy next witness, Mr. Jackson."

            Jackson said, "Thine Honour, I call Lieutenant Steve Drumm."  Drumm got up, was sworn, stated his full name and occupation, and sat down.  "Who instructed thee to look for evidence, Lt. Drumm?"

            Drumm said, "Mr. Burger and Mr. Mason instructed Paul Drake, Sergeant Brice, and me to make the search for useful defence evidence, Mr. Jackson."

            Jackson asked, "And what did you guys find?"

            "The fact that von(Bowser)Koopa had told the prosecutor, Carl Snell, that, if Donovan Fraser died or was killed, he would be the second-best man in the Attorney Office of Hamilton Burger, a position that would earn great respect and political power."

            "Thank you," Jackson said.  "No more questions."

            Hamilton got up.  "Now, Lt. Drumm, it is a well-known fact that Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa is one of the most evil felons in the history of VideoLand.  Why in the world would Snell listen to him?"

            "I do not know," Drumm answered.  "Greed, I guess."

            "Thanks," Hamilton said.  "That is all."

            Perry ascended from his seat.  He got ready to say something, then changed his mind.  "No questions," he said.

            Carl Snell was now getting very angry.  "No questions," he angrily but calmly said.

            "The witness," Lana said, "may step down.  Call your next witness, defence."

            Mason got up.  "I wish to call," he said, "my assistant, Hamilton Burger."  Burger got up, was sworn, stated his full name and occupation, and sat down.  "Mr. Burger, from thy past experiences, what hast thou found out about Snell?"

            Hamilton calmly - with Snell very irritated - said, "Ahem.  I have found him to be a greedy, hot tempered, and selfish yet quick and efficient lawyer.  His efficiency and quickness is the only thing that earned him his position of being right behind Fraser."

            "What," Mason inquired, intending to get on Snell's nerves, "didst thou like about Fraser?"

            Once again, Hamilton calmly said, "I have found Fraser to be an easy-tempered, unselfish, quick, and efficient lawyer.  That is why he was second in rank."

            "Oh, come now, Thine Honour!" Snell demanded.  "Mason is cross-examining his own witness!"

            "He is not!" yelled Jackson.

            Lana tapped her desk for order.  She said, "Order, please, gentlemen!  The objection is overruled.  You objected too late, Snell.  Go ahead, Mason."

            "Whom didst thou find the most trustworthy, Mr. Burger:  Donovan Fraser, Carl Snell, or Maurice Linton?"

            "I OBJECT!!!" screamed Snell.

            "Overruled!" said Lana.  "Thou hast a seat, Mr. Snell.  Must we use crazy-glue to make thee use it?"

            "No thanks, Thine Honour."

            Burger said, "Fraser and Linton were equally trustworthy.  I do not know about Snell.  That is why I assigned him to few important cases."

            "No further questions," Perry said.

            "No questions," Jackson said.

            Snell, obviously holding in his extreme anger, said, "No questions."

            Lana said, "Thou mayest step down, Burger.  Call your next witness, defence."

            "We call," said Jackson up in front of the entire courtroom except the bench, "Mr. Carl Snell."

            "I OBJECT!!!!!!!!!" Snell yelled.  "I AM NOT A COMPETENT WITNESS!!!!!!!"

            "Overruled," ruled Lana, tired of the word.  She was angry with that man.  If he were not guilty, she would fine him a million pounds just for these nasty objections.  "Take the stand, or I'll hold thee in contempt of court."  Growling, Snell was sworn, stated his name and occupation, and sat in the witness chair, ready to object.

            Jackson asked, "Didst thou have a conference with Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa?"

            "I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me," Snell said.

            "No further questions," Jackson said.

            Hamilton got up.  "Now, Snell,. . . never mind.  No questions."

            "No questions at this time," Perry said, special emphasis on the 'at this time'.

            "The witness will step down," Lana said.  "Your next witness, defence."

            "There is one witness whom I know I should call," Jackson says, "but who might be MOST uncooperative."  He cleared his throat.  He then announced, "The defence calls Prince/Baron Ludwig 'Kooky' von(Bowser)Koopa, ruler of the Kingdom of the Evil Koopas, to the stand."  Von(Bowser)Koopa went to Kevin (the bailiff), was sworn, stated his full name, and took the stand.  "I take it thou enjoyest thy nominal embellishments?"

            "Well, it's my full name, Mr. Jackson.  Some day, I'll just shorten it to 'Emperor Ludwig.'  What is thy first question?" Ludwig said.

            "Didst thou have a conference with Carl Snell?" asked Jackson.

            Ludwig calmly and truthfully said, "I most certainly did, Mr. Jackson.  Dost thou want all the details?"

            "Yes, if it pleases thee," said Jackson.

            Ludwig narrated, "I lured him into a fool's trap.  He conferred with me for the price of �2 156 of his expense, and I told him that the only way that he would be able to take one of the most respectable jobs in VideoLand was to have Donovan Fraser killed and make it look like someone else did it.  That fool should have known that Linton followed him.  Heaven knows, I knew that.  Anyway, the fool listened to what I knew about the position of the highest-ranking deputy attorney.  He said that he must have the job.  I then monitored his actions.  I found that he wore heat-pattern-resistant gloves, took Della Street's laser-pistol, - People's Exhibit A - shot Donovan Fraser off-guard, and left the gun there.  He then went back triumphantly to his home where he slept until precisely 8.00 the following morning."

            Cracking like an egg, Snell sprang up and screamed, "YOU IDIOT!!!  I PROMISED TO SPLIT EVERYTHING 50-50 WITH YOU!!!!!  WHAT DO YOU DO BUT SPILL THE BEANS!!!!!"

            Ludwig calmly said, "It was thou who followedest my plan.  I set the perfect trap for thee.  I intended to show thy greed.  I showed, furthermore, that thou wouldst let an innocent person go to prison for life for what thou didst.  I am glad that I did what I did.  Now that thou'st shown thy true colours, I shall leave with my pals back to Metroid and recloak the planet, since I have perfected my cloaking device."

            "What about me?" asked Snell.  "What shall I do?  Where shall I go?"

            "Frankly, my dear Snell," says Ludwig, "I do not give a damn!  Come, Brain-Team.  Let's leave for Metroid."  With one swish of his index finger, Ludwig transported the whole Brain-Team and himself instantaneously to Metroid.

            "Why the heck do you not go after that bad guy?" Snell asked.

            "Shut up," Hamilton said.  "He proved that I should never have hired thee.  That's why I am not going after him.  By the way, thou art fired."

            "WHAT?!?" Snell exclaimed.  Hamilton handed a pink slip to Snell.

            Mason and Jackson both said, "And, if you need an attorney, forget about asking us!"

            "Dismiss the charges against Della Street," Snell said.  "Arrest me."

            * * *

            October 25.

            Law Library, Mason's Office, Palace of Power.

            The whole N-Team was in Perry's comprehensive law library next morning, along with Maurice Linton, Sgt. Brice, Lt. Drumm, Lt. Tragg, and Lt. Anderson.  Perry Mason said, "Well, that wraps up the 'Case of the Prosecutor-turned-defender' and the 'Case of the Defender-turned-prosecutor.'  Hamilton, Jackson, and I defended Della, then the three of us turned around and prosecuted Carl Snell."

            "How true," said Hamilton Burger.  "That could also have been the 'Case of the Greedy Attorney.'  To tell you the truth, Perry, I'm not sorry I lost Snell.  I am sorry I lost Fraser.  He was a good and dedicated attorney.  Linton here, though, is a good attorney at law, as well.  He should have been Snell's superior."

            "No," Linton objected, "I should not have been."

            "Why not?" asked Hamilton.

            Linton said, "Because, Hamilton, I would not be around either.  Snell would have shot me, and you would have lost an eyewitness."

            "That is true," Hamilton admitted.

            Perry and Hamilton shook hands.  "Well, Hamilton," Perry said, "you did a good job defending Della."

            "What's this 'you'?" asked Hamilton.  "It should be 'we.' "

            "Thank you," Della said.  "If Perry gets in trouble with the law, I shall call you."

            "Oh!" remembered Hamilton.  "I almost forgot, Della.  You promised to pay me one pound.  Where is it?"

            "I'll write a cheque, if that's okay," Della said.  Hamilton nodded, though thinking it quite odd to write a cheque for one pound.  She got out a chequebook.  When she finished, she handed the cheque to Hamilton.  When he read it, he saw the following:

            After reading the check, Hamilton exclaimed, "Oh, thank you, Della!"

            "You are welcome, Hamilton," Della said.

            "Well," Perry said, "that is a rap, as they say."

            "You're right," Tragg said.  "A murder rap on Carl Snell!"

            "He's to be sent to the Crystal Prison in MegaLand tonight," Lana said.  The Crystal Prison was an impenetrable and inescapable place.  It was made completely of diamond, the hardest substance known.

            "Thank you, Perry, for not wavering your loyalty from a client," Della said.

            "I've told you, Della," Perry said, "that, if I one day waver my loyalty from a client, you are to close the office and use paint remover to remove the letters 'Perry Mason - Attorney at Law' from the reception room door."