"Er ... look, lieutenant-- What was it?" Grant glanced down at the papers. "First Lieutenant Bridget Ashley." "Look, Lieutenant Ashley, the general's been getting nothing but troubles all day. For your sake and his sake, I suggest you come back tomorrow, huh?" Grant handed back the papers and put a hand on her elbow, but she jerked back. "Major, I've been given a great deal of responsibility in this assignment," she flared, "and it's important for me to get work started at once. I was led to understand these patrol losses constituted a fairly urgent matter." Grant glanced ominously toward the general's door. "Lieutenant, I'm trying to explain to you that it's in your best interests to take this up with him tomorrow. I'm one of his aides and I know him. I realize you're authorized to see him today, but--" "Then I'll wait." She reseated herself and emphatically crossed her legs--a motion not escaping Grant's notice. The adjutant and Grant mutually shrugged at each other, and Grant headed outside, saying over his shoulder, "I'll be back in a minute." * * * * * As it developed, it was far more than a minute; but whatever it was, when Grant returned she was gone. The major looked at the adjutant, and the adjutant indicated the general's door with an apprehensive nod. Grant bit his lip and entered the private office. He had expected to hear the general's bass raging, but through the inner door came the strident tones of the lieutenant's modulating contralto. He had expected to see the general towering over the girl's shrinking figure, but as he entered she was bent earnestly in the middle, and the top of her torso inclined toward General Morrison, who had tilted as far back as his swivel chair would permit. "... So, if you haven't isolated any mechanical causation, how can you be sure it's mechanical?" she was laying it on. "And if you're not sure it's mechanical, how can you suggest there's no possibility of psychological causation? The authorities that sent me here have not only considered the possibility, they feel it's quite probable. All I am requesting, sir, is immediate implementation of my authority so your investigation can be broadened. It's really to your benefit that--" Grant said, "Lieutenant Ashley." "... My work be started at once so as to catch up on what findings you have obtained in the--" Grant shouted, "Lieutenant Ashley!" "... Investigation so far in the mechanical aspects. It's not unlikely that a combining factor, both psychological and mechanical--" Grant yelled, "LIEUTENANT ASHLEY!!" "Yes, sir, major." "Would you please wait in the outer office for just a moment?" "But--" "For just a moment, lieutenant." "Yes, sir." Grant waited until the door closed before he tried communication with the general. The officer still teetered in his chair, his eyes bulging from his reddened face.