Lije realizes he has just 2 hours and 15 minutes to solve the case before the Spacers order goes through. He feels so close to the solution; he has all the information. Lije knows that a single word or phrase could bring clarity to the whole mess. Daneel begins to explain the purpose of Spacetown. The Spacers came to Earth to change the economy and introduce their own C/Fe culture. The experiment has failed. The more they pushed their agenda, the more the Medievalists resisted change. The Spacers selected Lije in the hope that he would start to spread the message of space travel and C/Fe culture. Daneel soon discovered that Lije lacked the necessary romanticism and imagination to share the message. Lije takes this as a point of pride; he sees himself as too mentally strong to be an easy convert.

Daneel then explains that after the encounter with Clousarr, the Spacers have found a new avenue. The Spacers feel that enough seeds have been planted that the Medievalists will eventually realize that the Earth cannot support their pioneering dreams. They believe the Medievalists will eventually turn to Outer Worlds. Daneel is not certain this is true; he thinks more converts will be needed.

Lije’s frustration breaks through. He is left framed for the destruction of R. Sammy, his career destroyed, and his family in tatters. Lije appeals to Daneel’s justice circuit, but Daneel just replies that “there are degrees of justice, Elijah. When the lesser is incompatible with the greater, the lesser must give way” (246). Daneel argues that the good of the species far outweighs the pain it will cause Lije. Lije tries to convince Daneel to let him find the killer for curiosity’s sake, but Daneel thinks that curiosity is merely inefficiency. Suddenly, the case comes into clear focus for Lije. He has solved it.

Lije then reminds Daneel that he technically has until midnight to solve the case. Daneel agrees with the logic and agrees to help until Fastolfe’s order comes into effect. Lije dispatches him to procure the film of the crime scene. Shortly after, the Commissioner comes to collect Lije to give his statement regarding R. Sammy’s destruction.

The trio enters the Commissioner’s office. Enderby begins questioning Lije about his trip to the power plant, Jessie’s unexpected visit, and the end of R. Sammy. Daneel’s evidence is not admissible in court, so no one can vouch for Lije not taking an alpha sprayer. Lije tells Enderby that he is being framed, that the framer killed Sarton, and that he knows who that person is.

Enderby is skeptical, referencing Lije’s earlier mistake. Enderby lays out the case against Lije . Lije begins to poke holes in the story, starting with using Jezebel instead of Jessie from Clousarr. There is no way Clousarr would use that name, as Jessie hasn’t since Bentley’s birth. Lije then asks the Commissioner for his whereabouts. Enderby rises from his seat in anger and suspends Lije . Lije plows on with his exposition. He has pulled his blaster on Enderby. Daneel then tells Enderby that Dr. Fastolfe is listening in and would like to hear the rest of Lije’s theory. Enderby sinks into his chair.

Lije then accuses Enderby of the murder. Daneel states that the Commissioner couldn’t possibly be a murderer based on his cerebroanalysis. Lije walks through the case, explaining that Enderby gave the blaster to R. Sammy and had him carry the weapon to Spacetown cross country. Enderby then shot Sarton, believing him to be Daneel at the time. Enderby is a member of the Medievalist movement, which is clear from his glasses and windows. Lije then pulls up the film of the crime scene and focuses on the glass from Enderby’s broken spectacles, present at the crime scene before Enderby’s official entry to the scene. The Spacers can confirm the glass is from prescription eyewear by the curvature. Lije solves the case with seconds to spare.

The Commissioner confesses, sliding to the floor. Daneel convinces Enderby to swing the Medievalist movement toward space travel. If he does this, Spacetown will drop the investigation and leave Earth. Enderby agrees. Lije asks if Daneel will stay on Earth, stating, “I didn’t think I would ever say anything like this to anyone like you, Daneel, but I trust you. I even—admire you. I’m too old ever to leave Earth myself, but when schools for emigrants are finally established, there’s Bentley. If someday, perhaps, Bentley and you, together…” (270). Daneel says he might, then turns to Enderby. Daneel states that he is beginning to understand humans more fully. As the men depart, Daneel quotes the Bible passage that Lije told him earlier. Daneel and Lije exit arm in arm.