“If we’d only had that on the Ninety-one —” said Gunderson.
“We could have — if I had been able to take a look at myself in the Mirror early enough.”
Gunderson left. Montgomery went out to the small airport at the edge of town to meet Colonel Dodge, who arrived exactly on schedule. Dr. Spindem came along, of course. He seemed uneasy at the prospect of riding with Montgomery, but said nothing. There had been little conversation between the two men since the night of Montgomery’s report.
As the plane’s passengers disembarked, Dodge approached with cordial concern on his face. “It’s good to see you again, major. How are you? And Dr. Spindem —”
“Everything is fine,” said Montgomery. “I have explained your visit to Dr. Nagle. He has prepared a small demonstration which I’m sure you’ll enjoy.”
Dodge’s lips compressed. “I’m sure I shall,” he said.
The colonel took a room at Montgomery’s hotel. In a half hour he was ready, after a shower and change of clothes, to go to the Institute. It was a half hour, however, in which Spindem conferred with him, while Montgomery waited in the lobby. The major was aware of a sharp change in Dodge’s expression as he came out.
Dr. Nagle seemed perfectly composed, however, as he received the unsmiling colonel, and the faintly contemptuous Dr. Spindem. He and Montgomery smiled at each other as they shook hands.
“I understand you have come to close us down,” he said abruptly as they took chairs.
The abrupt challenge startled Dodge, but he yielded no ground because of it. “We have obtained an injunction,” he said severely, “which we are prepared to exercise, on the grounds that you have hampered the military effort by inciting men to leave critical posts.”
“That is a rather severe action in light of our concept of freedom to move about and do as one thinks best. You have no moral control over these men.”
“These are severe times,” said Dodge. “But in fairness we are prepared to listen to an explanation of your actions — if you care to give one.”
“I should like to,” said Dr. Nagle, nodding slowly.
He outlined his beliefs regarding the untapped resources of the human mind as he had done on Montgomery’s initial visit. The colonel listened with interest, but without conviction.
“All that is most interesting,” he said, “but our institutions of learning and research have been at work on the problem for thousands of years. It is hardly likely that they would have failed to find a solution if one were as readily available as you suggest.”
“Suppose we view the demonstrations next, then?” Dr. Nagle suggested.
“I should like to say something at this point, gentlemen,” said Spindem suddenly. “In my field of work this search for supernormal faculties and functions of the human mind is recognized for what it is. The constant pre-occupation of our society now with schemes of a fantastic nature is pathological in the extreme. Among these we have the Superman fad, the popular dissertations on means of leaving the Earth and going to the Moon, Mars, Venus, et cetera. We have the yearning for means of telepathic communication — anything to circumscribe the necessity for utilizing and perfecting the conventional means at our disposal. It is too much hard labor to understand another man or another nation by perfecting vocal and written means of exchange. If we only had super powers, such as telepathy — presto! — all our difficulties would be over.
“Your assertions are suspiciously pathological, Dr. Nagle. We will improve Man when, and only when, we inspire him to hard work in use of the faculties with which he is normally endowed, and cease to search the clouds for something miraculous.”
Dr. Nagle smiled slowly. “Your last statement inspires my wholehearted enthusiasm, Dr. Spindem. And now, the demonstrations, gentlemen —?”
Montgomery had suggested that they not use the musical demonstration, or the similar artistic one, but Nagle had Norcross perform an original symphonic composition. Dodge knew Norcross by reputation and slight personal acquaintance. It was obvious that he was not impressed by the engineer’s performance. He simply didn’t believe it. He was furiously attempting to devise in his mind a solution to explain the mechanical trickery he thought he saw. To explain the mechanism involved, the reason behind Nagle’s use of it — and Norcross’ reasons for participating in it. He got no answer to any of the items.
Spindem, on the other hand, was rather entranced by the music. He listened uncritically, as if he could believe, for the moment at least, that it was being produced in the manner Nagle described.
There was a demonstration of art work, produced in full color in the shadow box. A half dozen students went through as many complicated problems of electronic design. Civil engineering and aeronautical designs were created in profusion.
It seemed to Montgomery that the very weight of material shown should break down Dodge’s skepticism, but he remained unmoved.
“I have seen nothing yet for which I could accept your explanation, Dr. Nagle,” he said. “These mysterious shadow boxes of yours — I’m afraid a much easier explanation for them can be found —”
“You will be allowed the opportunity,” said Nagle. “But we have saved the most important item until last. This was produced by one of your men —”
He drew out Montgomery’s model and specification sheets along with the report of the wind-tunnel tests made at Firestone.
“What’s this?” Dodge demanded. Then he bent to an examination of the articles before him. After five minutes he glanced up in disbelief. He sat down at the desk and read and reread the papers.
He looked up a final time, searching for Gunderson, who had been brought in at this point. “You conducted these tests yourself, and can verify this report?” Dodge asked him.
Gunderson nodded. “It's absolutely true. The Firestone lab crew will vouch for it, too.”
“This is amazing!” said Dodge. He got to his feet and faced Nagle. “At least you have one genuine item that is difficult to discredit. But there is still nothing in it to convince me that your Institute had anything to do with enabling the inventor to produce it. I fail to see how —”
“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.