"You too, Spacker. Now, the three of you turn your backs to me and walk to the wall. Keep those hands high!"
I opened my briefcase with one hand, withdrew the sleep bomb, hurled it at their feet. The detectives knew what it was after one gasp, and tried to hold their breath. But one gasp is enough. They crumpled to the floor, unconscious. I closed Spacker's door and hung up the 'Do Not Disturb' sign.
Our robot secretary was taking a flurry of phone messages. I waited patiently in the anteroom till Claire returned.
"Here they are," she said soberly, handing me the envelope. "Three berths on the Sophocles."
"That's wonderful, Claire! Thanks a lot. By the way, you'll notice that those gentlemen have left. The matter is all straightened out."
A smile wreathed her face. "I'm very happy for you, Mr. Sponsor."
"In celebration, you know what we're going to do? We're going to give you the rest of the day off!"
She was enthralled. I waited until five minutes after she'd left, then walked briskly to the down-shaft.
I had to assume there were detectives posted at the main floor entrance. And on the roof. And even perhaps in the freight entrance. I got off on the second floor.
I walked down the corridor, studying the signs on doorways. There was a market research firm, Mechlen Drew Inc., that occupied a large suite, with several labeled doors. I opened one that said 'Employes' and found myself in a room with a medium-sized computer and several preoccupied mathematicians.