"Did you know that the unemployment rate among black men and women is more than double that of white men and women? Did you know that an average of nine out of the ten top records of the country this year were performed by blacks, and that your white daughters and girlfriends are purchasing over sixty percent of this so-called music? Did you know that only five percent of the books in this country are purchased by blacks? Watch for us in eighty-two minutes."

Hood asked, "Is this appearing anywhere else?"

Stoll's fingers were already speeding over the keyboard. "Checking," he said as he typed "[email protected]." "This is a group that discusses Hong Kong action films. It's the most obscure E-mail address I know."

After a moment, the screen changed.

"I happen to think that Jackie Chan's potrayal of Wong Fei Hong is the definitive interpretation. Even though Jackie's off-screen persona is visible in the characterization, he makes it work."

Stoll said, "It's safe to say the interlopers only went after the gamers."

"Which makes sense," Nancy said, "if they're going to be offering hate games to that market."

"But they wouldn't be offering them aboveboard," Hood said. "I mean, one wouldn't find their ads in the Internet Yellow Pages."

"No," Stoll agreed. "But word spreads quickly. Anyone who wants to play would know where to find them."

"And with the Enjoystick providing an extra kick," Hood said, "kids who didn't know any better would certainly want to play."

"What about laws?" Nancy said. "I thought there were restrictions on what you could send through the Internet."

"There are," Stoll said. He returned to the scrolls on Mufti-User Dungeon and sat back. For the moment, his fears were clearly forgotten. "They're the same laws which govern other markets. Child pornographers are chased and caught. Advertising for hit men is illegal. But rattling off facts like these, facts you can find in any good almanac, is not illegal. Even when the intent is clearly racist. The only crime these people have committed is breaking into other people's rooms. And I guarantee this message will be gone in a few hours, before network officials can get close to locating them."

Nancy looked at Hood. "You obviously think this is Dominique's doing."

"He has the capability, doesn't he?"

"That doesn't make him a criminal."

"No," Hood agreed. "Killing and stealing do."

Her eyes held his for a moment, then dropped.