"Not altogether," I argued. "It's conceivable that wars and
unprecedented bombings and fires could destroy records. Why even today
there are gaps in the lives of contemporary artists that will never be
filled up."
"To hell with that!" Mallison said. "I still say it's impossible."
Dugan gave me a grateful look. He said, "Anyway, that's about what
happened. The literature department of the university is going to send
one of its research men back through time to gather material on the
life of the new Shakespeare. This man is an expert in ancient English.
He's shuttled back into the Twentieth Century, equipped with camera and
stenographic devices and all that. In the short period at his disposal,
he attempts to get hold of his man."
I said, "It's a cute idea. Imagine going back to the old Mermaid Tavern
and buying Marlowe a drink."