e was low
and confidential. "If you'll just look around you...."

"Eh?" Mandleco followed Beardsley's gesture, and for the first time he
seemed to see the room in total. Shards of glass lay everywhere. A great
tangle of wire was strewn half the length of ECAIAC, and a bank of
transistors reposed against the far wall in pitiful ruin. The techs had
already started a strip-down, their tools and units across the floor
adding to the general confusion.

Mandleco said, "Well? What is it you--" His words stopped as if sliced
in two by his teeth. "Yes. Yes, by God, I see what you mean!"

"Can you really conceive of operation in two hours? _Two hours_," Arnold
said. "Two days, maybe. More likely in two weeks!"

Mandleco groaned as if in pain, staring around.

Beardsley pressed his point. "You'll pardon my saying it, sir, but I
_do_ realize what the Carmack Case means--to you personally. So much
build-up and publicity, and the people demanding a verdict ... why, if
the case were to snag now--"

"Unthinkable!" A shudder touched Mandleco's long, lean frame. "Out with
it, man! What are you trying to say?"

Beardsley was suddenly sweating. He felt as if a long tube were inside
of him, hot and throbbing, reaching up with a surge of pulse to his
temples. _It had to be now. He had to say it._

"Well," he gulped. "Just this, sir. I think the case can be cracked
right now. Today. _Without_ ECAIAC."

"Nonsense! Without ECAIAC? Why, that's--"

"Sure. You think it's crazy. But I tell you _I_ can do it!" Beardsley's
words came fast and urgent. "I've followed this case from the beginning,
I processed it, I'm familiar with every angle. I tell you, _I can
deliver the killer_. Give me permission to try!"

Mandleco stared at Beardsley as if he were some queer specimen under a
microscope; his mouth opened to speak, then he clamped his teeth tightly
and strode away.

He turned back abruptly. "So you think you have the solution. You
actually--do--think it!" His eyes narrowed down, no longer amused, as he
fixed the little serologist with a peculiar gaze. "Go on, Beardsley.
Your suggestion at least has the novelty of imagination!"

"The novelty of experience," Beardsley said bitterly. "_With your
permission and co-operation_ I can solve this case, together with
positive evidence that will hold up in any court! What's more, I'll do
it today. A guarantee," Beardsley said pointedly, "which I dare say you
no longer have from ECAIAC."