"You said yourself that the androids probably possessed extraordinary
powers."
"Yes, but--"
"All right. If we accept the need-of-data theory, which we have to, what
would the tenth android be doing? Trying to get his hands on it. He
could conceivably have made contact with King. King took a picture of
the ninth android. Our still able and functioning number ten found his
way to Doctor Corson's room in Greenwich Village and demolished number
nine, for reasons of his own, so he could have made contact with King,
put him under domination, and sent him after the data."
"How could he know where the data was?"
Taber shrugged. "I said there were some pretty weak strings in my logic.
But it so shaped, as I saw it, where it would stand or smash on one
point. If King had waited in your office for your return, I would have
been forced to assume he was there on his own. But he left, so I'm going
to figure he took what he came for--the bait you dangled under his
nose."
"That brings up a question in my mind. If you're right, King will now
make contact with the android, will he not?"
"I assume he will."
"And that will give you a chance to capture him and have the whole ten
accounted for?"
"I don't want him until he sends the data back to whoever is waiting for
it."
"You'd like to have them build their synthetic army on the
specifications I made out?"
"I'd dearly love that."
"Do you know where to contact King again?"
"He's being tailed. They stripped me, but I still have two men left."
"You're being treated miserably!" Entman scowled. "I'm going to talk to
some people about this. I refuse to allow--"
"Thanks, but not for a while. I've shaped my operation on a one-man
basis. I'd be embarrassed if they relented. I wouldn't know what to do
with all the men."
Entman's little eyes shone with affection. "I can only wish you good
luck."
"Thanks. I'll need it."
"And one more thing I was wondering."
"What's that?"
"Why do you suppose the tenth android killed the one in the Village?"
"Another case of taking one reason for want of a better one. I think it
was his way of delivering the creature to us for research. He couldn't
know for sure that we already had his 'brothers.'"
"You're right--you must be," Entman agreed.
"Small consolation. I'd like a few facts to go on for a change instead
of having to depend on logic all the time," Taber growled.
"What are you referring to?"
"The data. I'm assuming, _if_ that's what's important, that the tenth
creature has a way of getting the stuff back up there."
"I can help a little on that," Entman said. "I can assure you that from
what I've found in those brains, the data could, most likely, be sent
mentally."
"You're sure of that?"
"I've found a certain part of those brains developed in a peculiar
way--"