"May I inquire as to Senator Crane?" Bright asked.
"I see no reason why you shouldn't."
"He was in your anteroom when I entered. Obviously he was mad. I assume that was because you excluded him from this meeting."
"Correct." Brent Taber's eyes turned a trifle steely. "In fact, I'd like to know exactly how he found out about the meeting."
No one offered any data on this point and Bright asked, "Is it wise to keep information of this vital nature from the United States Senate?"
"The information has not been kept from the United States Senate," Brent corrected. "Let's say it has been kept from certain United States Senators on the theory that the interests of the nation can best be served by a closed-door policy on this matter until it becomes clarified."
Whether they agreed or not, the men present accepted this as coming from the top, and they would automatically abide by it.
"I suppose," Pender said, "that every effort is being made to apprehend the missing pair."
"Every effort of which we are capable."
"What conclusions have you drawn from the fact that these ten creatures are identical?"