"Anybody who takes telepathy seriously is considered a nut," said the
colonel.
"True," said the Secretary, "but that doesn't mean we _are_ nuts."
"Oh, yeah?" The colonel took the cigar out of his mouth a gestured with
it. "Anybody who'd do something that convinces all his friends he's nuts
must be nuts."
The Secretary smiled wanly. "I wish you wouldn't be so logical. You almost
convince me."
"Don't worry," said the colonel. "I'm not ready to have this room measured
for sponge-rubber wallpaper just yet. Operation Mapcase has helped a lot
in the past few months, and it will help even more."
"All you have to do is get the bugs out of it," said the Secretary.
"If we did that," Colonel Spaulding said flatly, "the whole operation
would fold from lack of personnel."
"Just carry on the best you can," the Secretary said gloomily as he got
up to leave. "I'll let you handle it."
"Fine. I'll call you later."
* * * * *
Twenty minutes after the Defense Secretary had gone, Lenny Poe was shown
into Colonel Spaulding's office. The agent who had brought him in closed
the door gently, leaving him alone with the colonel.
"I told you I'd be back this evening. What were you in such a hurry
about?"
"You're supposed to stay in touch," Colonel Spaulding pointed out. "I
don't mind your penchant for ponies particularly, but I'd like to know
where to find you if I need you."
"I wouldn't mind in the least, colonel. I'd phone you every fifteen
minutes if that's what you wanted. Except for one thing."
"What's that?"
Lenny jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "Your linguistically talented
flatfeet. Did you ever try to get into a floating crap game when you were
being followed by a couple of bruisers who look more like cops than cops
do?"
"Look, Poe, I can find you plenty of action right here in Washington, if
it won't offend your tender sensibilities to shoot crap with a senator or
two. Meanwhile, sit down and listen. This is important."