“The man responsible for that design is well known to you,” said Dr. Nagle. “It is the work of Major Eugene Montgomery.”
There was ten seconds of absolute silence in which Dodge turned slowly to face the major. His face was incredulous. “Montgomery,” he breathed, “you —”
Major Montgomery held up his hand. A bitter smile was on his face. “Let me say it, colonel. I think I can make it easier for you. I know the whole story — and I doubt that Dr. Nagle knew that I was fully aware of it.
“He and Dr. Berkeley were most certainly aware that they could not disrupt the military production of the country without producing severe repercussions. They prepared an answer. I’m it.
“I caught on pretty early. At first I was puzzled that they would even let me in. Everybody else around here ranged from competent to genius. I was the only knucklehead in the whole bunch. Then I understood. I was to be the horrible example. If something could be made out of me —
“You knew, of course, that all my associates considered me a first-rate dope,” he said to Nagle. “I imagine Gunderson must have been in on it, and given you a thorough run-down on my incapacities. I know now that I was assigned to the Ninety-one simply because that project was too big to be loused up by me. Isn’t that it, colonel?”
“Montgomery, I didn’t mean —” The colonel dropped his hands to his sides.
“It’s all right,” said Nagle, smiling. “Major Montgomery doesn’t mind at all that you had him classified as a mental butterfingers. The important thing is that he no longer is such. He designed this new wing. The incompetent, fearful Montgomery you have known could not have done it. It required the changed, courageous Montgomery who has taken a look in the Mirror and knows what he is capable of doing and is no longer afraid to do it.”
Dodge was silent, then suddenly he grinned and thrust forward his hand to Montgomery. “I guess there’s no use denying we’ve had you pegged for a blockhead right from the beginning. We put you in Firestone because it was a place where you could strut around to your heart’s content without really hurting anything.
“But if these people have done something to you to enable you to create a design like this — well, we’re going to have to find out what it is. I want a look in this Mirror for myself!”