"Well," said Banning, "nothing. We shoulda stood in bed." "I'm not so sure," Colin answered. "After all, he _did_ start to transmit, and that's more than we've had since he landed. I think we'd better keep it up." "All right. Keep at it, sergeant." "Yes, sir." As Colin and Banning turned away, the psychiatrist heard the sergeant begin to sing softly to himself. Suddenly Colin stopped and turned back to the man. "What'd you say?" he demanded. "Nothing, sir." "What you were singing, that song." "Oh, it was the one the colonel was whistling, sir. It gets to running around in your head. I'm sorry, it won't happen again." "No, I want to know what the words are. What you just said." "Well, it goes, I mean it starts out, I can't remember the whole--" "Come _on_, man! Sing it!" In an uncertain voice the radioman began to sing: "_I had a true wife but I left her, oh, oh, oh, oh. And now I'm broken hearted, oh, oh, oh, oh. Well, if she's gone, I wouldn't mind her, Foldy roldy hey ding di do, Soon find one--_" "That's enough, sergeant," Colin said, relaxing. He turned to Banning. "Well, General, that's it. The wedge goes in a little deeper." "What do you mean?" "Is Harkins married?" "Yes, yes, I think so. She lives in the officer's quarters on base." "Get her," Colin said. "Now? My God man, it isn't even five--" "Get her," Colin repeated. "Harkins has her on his mind. Maybe we can get to him through her." * * * * * Martha Harkins was a small brunette, too plain ever to be called pretty. Almost mousy, Colin thought. But intelligent, and quick to understand the situation, in spite of her nervousness. She sat on the opposite side of Banning's desk, her hands folded quietly in her lap, fingers twined, while Colin explained what they wanted her to do. Her still-sleepy eyes were fixed on her fingers while the psychiatrist talked. "I--I think I see," she said hesitantly. "What it comes down to is that you want me to try to talk Dick out of _Phoenix I_." Colin nodded. "It may not be easy. I've told you as much as we know about the condition of his mind. He will not consciously hear you, in all likelihood. We hope to appeal to deep-seated emotions below the conscious level. Are you willing to try?" "Of course," she said with real surprise, looking up at him for the first time. "Good," Colin said warmly. He stood from behind the desk. "We'll take you over to radio, now." Banning was waiting for them in Central Control. "Any change?" Colin asked. "No. Same thing. Sometimes he comes closer to the mike. We can hear his footsteps. He seems to be wandering around the control room pretty aimlessly. Or maybe he's just carrying on the in-flight routine, we can't tell." "This is Mrs. Harkins," Colin said. "General Banning." "Thank you for coming, Mrs. Harkins," the general said. "I hope this isn't too difficult for you." He took her small hand in his own.