"The detectors do not detect," objected Downing.
They confronted the Little Man with the nonoperating detector. He shook his tiny head and worried visibly. He puzzled over it, juggled the circuit controls, and then threw up his hands in bafflement. He spoke to Hotang Lu:
"The field must be so great that the detector is paralyzed."
"It is more than likely. Remember, it was working on Tlembo. It was working on ... on ... I have not the word for their star. Many many light-years away it is good. Close by—it must be paralyzed."
"Then we must make it less sensitive."
"Do you know how?"
"I did once, long ago. But I have forgotten my techniques and my ability lags because of lack of practice."
"And I devoted myself to the arts instead of technology. A revered master at the problem of mental culture; I cannot invade this gadget with tools."
Hotang Lu smiled. "You might try psychoanalyzing it."