Harris nodded. "Easily. The original one was well worn because the rat had more time to go roaming. The duplicate was almost new."
"They never did turn up with that key tag of Andrews, did they?"
"Nope."
"No one but a suspicious Power would conceal such a thing now that the search for it is out. The answer is obvious."
Treed nodded in agreement. "I shall recommend that Congress offer an award of twenty thousand dollars to whomever gives information to bring the truth to light." He shuddered. "This rat business is terrible. My wife is nearly out of her mind. Last night she swore that she saw a rat appear on the floor beneath the dresser. I hushed it, of course, but that is why I'm bringing this committee to order on the subject."
"Perhaps Manton's device just hurls them back and forth across the country."
Treed shook his head. "Manton's Better Mousetrap doesn't work that way," he said with conviction. "Thanks to Manton's little registers we know that Manton's catch—overall—has been rising but definitely following the increase in rat population over the entire country. You see, gentlemen, Manton's traps have been made to fill a demand in every case. It started with friends who needed them. You're sort of insisting that Manton's traps come assembled with its own mice."
That got a big laugh.
"And," said Senator Treed, "God help the one who is responsible for this!"