Beardsley had expected something like this, and he was quite ready to answer; but he carefully removed his glasses, massaged the bridge of his nose and frowned. "Well, now...."
"Come on, give! I know it's against protocol and all that ... but hell! We'll have the answer anyway in a matter of hours."
Beardsley nodded with a show of thoughtfulness. "Yes, that's true, isn't it? Very well. But strictly off the record! I warn you—not only will the first Prime startle you, but the information could be dangerous!"
He waited a moment, then he leaned forward and whispered: "Mandleco!"
For a moment Arnold didn't move. His face was ludicrous. Then Beardsley saw his hands clench.
"Mandleco!" the word jolted from his lips. "George Mandleco, Minister of Justice? I don't believe you!"
"It's a fact," Beardsley told him. "Right now he equates into an uncertain Prime."
"Yes, yes ... but Mandleco! Good Lord...."
"I said uncertain Prime. As you mentioned yourself, there is sure to be a shift of variants. Surely you have faith in ECAIAC?"