Browne hesitated.
"I suppose," he began, shifting his big bulk uncomfortably, "this will sound kind of odd ... but you know we've got the subcontract to produce this actuating cylinder for the Atlas...."
The agent nodded.
"Well, six months before we were asked to submit specs and bids on such a cylinder, Smith came to me and said he had an idea for something the Air Force might soon be needing...."
Agent Cowles maintained his air of polite attention, but his cool grey eyes narrowed. Browne shifted again, and continued:
"I told him to go ahead—you never can tell what these research guys will come up with...."
"And what did he come up with, Mr. Browne?"
"You won't believe this, maybe—but he came up with the design for the complete vernier hydraulic actuating cylinder—including the drive sector gear—at least three months before we had the faintest idea such an item would even be needed!"
The FBI man's ball-point pen moved swiftly.
"Anything else?"