* * * * *

Mandleco stood quite motionless, trying to recall something. "Now I
remember! You were with New York Homicide, weren't you, before promotion
to Cooerdinates in '60? I recall passing on your record. Top record, too,
for those days."

Beardsley gestured impatiently. "How about it, sir? I know every
pertinent fact of this case, plus a few of my own which haven't been
tested in a dozen years. Not indexes and tubes and tapes--just facts!
Fact and method! Let me apply them!"

"I'm afraid it's not as simple as that, Beardsley. There _is_ ECAIAC,
and public confidence must not be allowed--"

"The public be damned," Beardsley caught himself. "All right--for
appearance sake you can say the solution _came_ from ECAIAC. Let ECAIAC
verify me later if you wish. I'm not after headlines and glory ... by
heaven, sir, I'm offering you an _out_!"

Mandleco pondered that. He glanced again at the confusion across the
room, and realization seemed to hit him. Quite suddenly, then, he threw
back his head and roared with laughter.

"An out. And by heaven, Beardsley, I'm offering you a try! The idea
appeals to me! Beardsley versus ECAIAC ... socio-archaism opposed to the
_machina-ratiocinatrix_. Why, it's delicious!" He subsided to a rumble
of mirth and wiped tears from his eyes. "So! Just what do you propose?"

Beardsley saw nothing amusing. "I propose first, sir, that we reach an
understanding. I'm to conduct the investigation my own way, without
interference?"

"You have my word! I never violate it."

"Good. Then start using your word right now. There are three persons I
want placed in temporary custody; they are to be brought over here at
once for questioning."

* * * * *

Mandleco looked appalled. "Questioning? _Here?_"

"Yes, right here. Immediately! The three I want are Mrs. Carmack--I
happen to know she's still in the city. And Brook Pederson--you should
reach him easily at Central News Bureau. The third--"

"Would that be Professor Losch?" Mandleco smugly asked. "Sorry, but
Losch happens to be in Bermuda right now."

Beardsley said sharply: "How did you know that?"

"Why, I--I'm acquainted with Losch, you know. He was planning a
vacation, and he mentioned Bermuda--"

"No. I don't mean that. _How did you know Losch was my third person?_"

Mandleco bristled a little, his face reddening as he groped for an
answer. "Never mind," Beardsley waved it asid