The staff car detoured off the freeway to deliver Cowles to the Federal Building.
"What do you make of this, Frank?" the General asked him.
"I'm just supposed to be gathering information."
"Oh, hell! We've been talking and you've been thinking—what?"
Cowles grinned.
"I've been thinking how lucky it is I don't have to make a decision about Smith!"
"So?"
"So we'll question him again tomorrow.... As long as he's willing to talk, the more he says, the better."
But, next morning, the medical staff again exercised its veto power. John O'Hara Smith had developed an infection and fever during the night. There could be no further questioning for the time being.
On the second day, when his fever ebbed, Dr. Smith irascibly ordered a pad of paper and began an interminable series of sketches. The nurse managed to sneak out a few of them, and FBI experts sat up all night vainly trying to figure out what they meant.