Mandleco looked appalled. "Questioning? Here?"
"Yes, right here. Immediately! The three I want are Mrs. Carmack—I happen to know she's still in the city. And Brook Pederson—you should reach him easily at Central News Bureau. The third—"
"Would that be Professor Losch?" Mandleco smugly asked. "Sorry, but Losch happens to be in Bermuda right now."
Beardsley said sharply: "How did you know that?"
"Why, I—I'm acquainted with Losch, you know. He was planning a vacation, and he mentioned Bermuda—"
"No. I don't mean that. How did you know Losch was my third person?"
Mandleco bristled a little, his face reddening as he groped for an answer. "Never mind," Beardsley waved it aside. "If Losch is in Bermuda at present we'll reach him by tele-stat right now!" He was suddenly crisp as he propelled the Minister of Justice toward Jeff Arnold's office.
Mandleco stared at this little man, wondering if it were the same person he had been talking to just minutes before. "Now see here, Beardsley—" But he was interrupted.
"I thought we had an understanding! Of course, if you'd prefer to count on ECAIAC—"
"Very well," Mandleco nodded grimly, "I gave you my word. But the instant Arnold repairs the breakdown, your little experiment is over! Do you understand that?"