"Hey, that's it!" He jumped up and ran to the visiphone, and dialed the zoo. "Bring that toogan of Bohr's back to Base!"
"What, again?" the indignant curator asked.
"I'm sorry, sir, but this is probably the last time we'll need it. Please get it here immediately."
"What's the excitement?" Newton asked curiously.
"Your remark reminded me of something I noticed only dimly in its mind, and didn't pursue at the time."
While they were waiting for the bird, Hanlon asked, "What about the new ships? Have the experts got 'em figured out yet?"
"Not entirely. The hulls are about the same as the Snyder ships, only larger. But that new power system is so radically different they're going rapidly nuts trying to understand it. And they do have tractor-beams."
No sooner had the messenger left after delivering the toogan than Hanlon had it out of the cage, and perched on the arm of his chair. Then for nearly an hour he sat there, deaf, dumb and blind to all else while he explored every nook and cranny of that avian mind.
"Got it!" he yelled at last, and the bird, freed from control, sprang into the air and flew wildly about, seeking escape.
"What did you learn?" the admirals were as excited as he.