ll, it was.

"You understand my check of your routines was no reflection on you or
your department," Hayes said diplomatically. "It's a heavy
responsibility to alert E.H.Q., pull the scientists off who knows what
delicate, critical work--maybe even hope to get the attention of an
E--all that. I had to make sure, you know."

"Of course, Chief Hayes," the supervisor said, and relaxed some of his
resentment. "Serious matter," he chattered. "Disgrace if an E, without
half trying, put his finger on our oversight. We all understand that."
He tried to include the nearby operators, his boys, in his eager
agreement, but they were all busy showing how intensely they had to
concentrate on their work.

"That's probably all it is--an oversight," Hayes said with unconvincing
reassurance; then, at the hurt look on the supervisor's face, added,
"Beyond our control here, of course. Something it would take at least a
scientist to spot, something we couldn't be expected ... What I mean is,
we shouldn't get alarmed until we know, for sure. And--ah--keep it
confidential."

"Of course, Chief Hayes," the supervisor said in a near whisper. He
looked meaningfully around at the room of operators, but did manage not
to put his finger to his lips. Those who were observing out of the
corners of their eyes were grateful for at least that.

On his way back to his own office Chief William Hayes reflected that the
bit about keeping it confidential was on the corny side. Within fifteen
minutes he'd start spreading it all over E.H.Q., himself. Every
scientist, every lab assistant would know it. Every clerk, every janitor
would know it. E.H.Q. would have to work full blast all night long, and
some of the lesser personnel had homes down in Yellow Sands at the foot
of the mountain.

These would be calling their husbands and wives, telling them not to fix
dinner, not to worry if they didn't come home all night. No matter how
guarded, the news would leak out, the word spread, and the newscast
reporters would pick it up for the delectation of the public. Eden
colony cut off from communication. Nobody knows ... Wonder ... Fear ...
Delicious ... Exciting....

Or was this the kind of thinking that had kept him from qualifying as an
E? What was it the examiner had asked? "Mr. Hayes, why do you feel it is
all right for you to view, to read, to know--but that others should be
protected from seeing, reading, knowing? What are these sterling
qualities you hav