For a long time Ashby was silent, looking from one to the other of the faces about the table. Then he spoke in a low voice, as if having reached the extremity of his resources. "Yes—the reactions of Winthrop's men are indeed known. I suggest that you come with me and I will show you what those reactions are."
He stood up and the others followed with inquiring expressions on their faces. Winthrop made a short, jerky motion of his head, as if he detected a hidden sting in Ashby's words. "What do you mean by that?" he demanded.
"You don't suppose that our examinations would neglect the men on whom you have spent so much time and effort in training?"
The General flushed with rage. "If you've tampered with any of my men—! You had no right—!"
The other Commission members were smiling in faint amusement at the General's discomfiture.
"I should think it would be to your advantage to check the results of your training," said Mr. Merton.
"There is only one possible check!" exclaimed General Winthrop. "Put these men on a base for a period of eight years and at a distance of forty seven light years from home and see what they will do. That is the only way you can check on them."
"And if you know anything about our methods of testing, you will understand that this, in effect, is what we have done. Your best man is about to be released from the test pit. He can't have more than an hour to go."
"Who have you got in your guinea pig pen?" the General demanded. "If you've ruined him—"
"Captain Louis Carnahan," said Ashby. "Shall we go down, gentlemen?"