Westervelt thought it over. Parrish, in his present mood, was not likely to be of any help. Simonetta had just done her stint, and Joe was needed on the space set. It would have been nice if there were a message for Lydman to listen to, but that was wishful dreaming.
"All right, Mr. Smith," he surrendered. "Maybe I can take along this article and ask if he's seen it yet. If he's taking an inventory or trying out something in the lab, I'll take my life in my hands and volunteer to help!"
Smith laughed.
"It can't be that bad, Willie," he said, slapping the other on the shoulder.
Westervelt was not so sure, but he folded the magazine open to the beginning of his article and went out. Pauline peered at him as he passed.
"Don't look like that!" he said. "You'll see me again, I hope!"
"You might try looking a little more confident of that yourself," Simonetta called after him.
Westervelt turned the corner and walked slowly down the hall, trying out more confident expressions as he went. None of them felt exactly right.
Passing the spare office where the dead files were kept, he heard a sound.
They must have come up here for something, he thought. That's why it seemed so long to Smitty.