"We tagged rats and sent 'em through one of Manton's traps. Later we used one of the old wire-cage affairs. Someone had gone to the trouble of counterfeiting some of our tags. Out of fifty-seven rats caught with tags, we found a duplicate number. Someone obviously caught a tagged one from wherever it was sent, and in an effort to confuse us, made duplicate tags and sent 'em back." "Deliberate!" Admiral Grayson of Intelligence nodded. "Tomlinson of Psychological Warfare says that's what he would recommend to spread confusion. You see, this Power would not stop; they would also know that we are trying to find out all about it. Therefore they would prefer to add confusion to our search. Hence the duplication of tags." "Could you tell the real one?" Harris nodded. "Easily. The original one was well worn because the rat had more time to go roaming. The duplicate was almost new." "They never did turn up with that key tag of Andrews, did they?" "Nope." "No one but a suspicious Power would conceal such a thing now that the search for it is out. The answer is obvious." Treed nodded in agreement. "I shall recommend that Congress offer an award of twenty thousand dollars to whomever gives information to bring the truth to light." He shuddered. "This rat business is terrible. My wife is nearly out of her mind. Last night she swore that she saw a rat _appear_ on the floor beneath the dresser. I hushed it, of course, but that is why I'm bringing this committee to order on the subject." "Perhaps Manton's device just hurls them back and forth across the country." Treed shook his head. "Manton's Better Mousetrap doesn't work that way," he said with conviction. "Thanks to Manton's little registers we know that Manton's catch--overall--has been rising but definitely following the increase in rat population over the entire country. You see, gentlemen, Manton's traps have been made to fill a demand in every case. It started with friends who needed them. You're sort of insisting that Manton's traps come assembled with its own mice." That got a big laugh. "And," said Senator Treed, "God help the one who is responsible for this!" * * * * * Tony Andrews entered the salesroom and smiled at the clerk. "Look," he said, "I've been a good customer." "You have," agreed the salesman. "I know you. I'm Tom Locke." "Well, Mr. Locke, I'd like another one of those key tags." The salesman nodded. "Those things are popular," he said. "But what happened?" "I dropped mine through one of those Better Mousetraps." "Oh," laughed the salesman, "they've been returned from every portion of the globe. But I guess the mail service isn't too good from wherever That is." "I'd hoped it would come back," said Andrews. "But I'm wrong. And I'd like another one." "Sure. Be glad to. Since you're the man who originated the idea with us." "I'm sorry to have to ask--What? Originated what?"