“You have no idea,” Malone said. “It’s about the political machines, all right, but it isn’t anything as simple as pig-Latin.” He explained, taking his time over it. When he had finished, Fred was nodding his head slowly. “I see,” he said. “I understand just what you want me to do.” “Good,” Malone said. “I’ll take a team over to the Senate Office Building,” Fred said, “and check the computer-secretaries there. That way, you see, I’ll be able to do a full running check on them without taking any one machine out of operation for too long.” “Sure,” Malone said. “And it shouldn’t take long,” Fred went on, “to find out just what the trouble is.” He looked very confident. “How long?” Malone asked. Fred shrugged. “Oh,” he said, “five or six days.” Malone repressed an impulse to scream. “Days?” he said. “I mean—well, look, Fred, it’s important. Very important. Can’t you do the job any faster?” Fred gave a little sigh. “Checking and repairing all those machines,” he said, “is an extremely complex job. Sometimes, Malone, I don’t think you realize quite how complex and how delicate a job it is to deal with such a high-order machine. Why—” “Wait a minute,” Malone said. “Check and repair them?” “Of course,” Fred said. “But I don’t want them repaired,” Malone said. Seeing the look of horror on Fred’s face, he added hastily, “I only want a report from you on what’s wrong, whether they are actually making errors or not. And if they are making errors, just what’s making them do it. And just what kind of errors. See?” Fred nodded very slowly. “But I can’t just leave them there,” he said piteously. “In pieces and everything. It isn’t right, Malone. It just isn’t right.” “Well, then,” Malone said with energy, “you go right ahead and repair them, if you want to. Fix ’em all up. But you can do that after you make the report to me, can’t you?” “I—” Fred hesitated. “I had planned to check and repair each machine on an individual basis.” “The Congress can allow for a short suspension,” Malone said. “Anyhow, they can now, or as soon as I get the word to them. Suppose you check all the machines first, and then get around to the repair work.” “It’s not the best way,” Fred demurred. Malone discovered that it was his turn to sigh. “Is it the fastest?” he said. Fred nodded. “Then it’s the best,” Malone said. “How long?” Fred rolled his eyes to the ceiling and calculated silently for a second. “Tomorrow morning,” he announced, returning his gaze to Malone. “Fine,” Malone said. “Fine.” “But—” “Never mind the buts,” Malone said hurriedly. “I’ll count on hearing from you tomorrow morning.” “All right.” “And if it looks like sabotage,” Malone added, “if the errors aren’t caused by normal wear and tear on the machines, you let me know right away. Phone me. Don’t waste an instant.”