The Defense Secretary scowled at him. "What do you mean?"
"Anybody who takes telepathy seriously is considered a nut," said the colonel.
"True," said the Secretary, "but that doesn't mean we are nuts."
"Oh, yeah?" The colonel took the cigar out of his mouth a gestured with it. "Anybody who'd do something that convinces all his friends he's nuts must be nuts."
The Secretary smiled wanly. "I wish you wouldn't be so logical. You almost convince me."
"Don't worry," said the colonel. "I'm not ready to have this room measured for sponge-rubber wallpaper just yet. Operation Mapcase has helped a lot in the past few months, and it will help even more."
"All you have to do is get the bugs out of it," said the Secretary.
"If we did that," Colonel Spaulding said flatly, "the whole operation would fold from lack of personnel."
"Just carry on the best you can," the Secretary said gloomily as he got up to leave. "I'll let you handle it."
"Fine. I'll call you later."