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."
Mandleco stood quite motionless, trying to recall something. "Now I remember! You were with New York Homicide, weren't you, before promotion to Coördinates in '60? I recall passing on your record. Top record, too, for those days."
Beardsley gestured impatiently. "How about it, sir? I know every pertinent fact of this case, plus a few of my own which haven't been tested in a dozen years. Not indexes and tubes and tapes--just facts! Fact and method! Let me apply them!"