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you’ve unearthed a range of subjects which raise similar problems to the ones we’ve mentioned?’
    ‘More than that. I’m also trying to put it to you that every time I’ve tried to investigate any of these particular subjects I’ve always run up against the MIPS.’
    ‘The MIPS? Who are they?’
    ‘You aren’t going to like this, Manalone. They’re special operatives of the Ministry of Information and Public Security. In short – political secret police.’
    ‘Political?’ Manalone looked at him with increasing protest. ‘But there was nothing political about that film …’
    ‘Nothing that I could discern. But the MIPS were interested enough in your concern to follow you all the way to the coast. You’re a professional problem-solver, Manalone. Well – solve that one.’
    ‘I don’t have sufficient information,’ said Manalone. ‘But I ran into a Censorship Act when I tried to get that health statistic. What’s the point in classifying a health statistic as Restricted Information?’
    ‘I don’t know,but the pattern’s consistent. It’s all part of the plot.’
    ‘The plot against what?’
    ‘Again I don’t know.’ Raper ran his fingers through his hair distractedly. ‘The only thing I’m sure of is that there’s some sort of national conspiracy in being – and the government is behind it. I don’t know what they’re trying to conceal, but whatever it is, they’re doing a very thorough job on it.’
    ‘And you’d like me to investigate?’ asked Manalone speculatively.
    ‘Not exactly. I came here to advise you that it was better if you left it alone.’
    ‘Why should I?’
    ‘Because the MIPS, like every other secret police organization, have their own methods and they aren’t necessarily bound to observe the strict legalities. I’ve had my warning, and I intend to disregard it. But it’s only fair to warn you that if you continue to get involved you may jeopardize not only your career, but possibly your life.’
    ‘Are you serious, Paul?’
    ‘Deadly serious. My office gets searched at regular intervals, and both my vidiphone and autophone are being monitored. I’m a marked man – but I don’t give a damn, because finding news is the only way of life I know. I don’t have any other way to go. But that doesn’t apply to you. You’ve got a hell of a lot to lose, Manalone. You don’t have to become involved.’
    Manalone’s eyes swept round the trim interior of his household. In a sense he was a privileged person. Only the top echelon in the automated industries could afford to own their own houses. It meant a lot to him. And Sandra – there were not many who could afford her, either. The great depression of living standards which was the inevitable consequence of high-level automation had further sharpened the disparity between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’. Manalone had what ninety percent of the population would have died for – a top job and a place in the sun. Even his marriage could have been made tolerable by children.
    ‘And five hundred and seven deaths per ten thousand is the reason you’re not going to get any children, Manalone.’
    ‘I’m alreadyinvolved, Paul,’ he said finally. ‘If there is a conspiracy and we can’t see it directly, we can probably set up a profile of forbidden areas. This should gradually define what it is that’s being concealed.’
    Raper relaxed visibly. ‘I hoped you’d take that attitude, Manalone. If there was ever a problem which needs your talents, this is it. I suspect the MIPS will soon pressure you out of it, but while it lasts it could be very interesting.’
    ‘If I’m to help,’ said Manalone, ‘I’m going to need a lot more facts to work on.’
    Raper was watching Sandra prowling in the background. ‘I can give you more than enough to get on with – but not here. Let’s go somewhere where we won’t be overheard. The less that Sandra knows of this, the safer we shall be.’
    Manalone raised his