The two agents standing on Nicholas's front porch; on hearing his garbled version of the story, did not find it funny.

That wasn't our office," one of them said.

"Why don't you talk to me? " Nicholas demanded, protecting his wife.

Again the two FBI agents exchanged glances, nodded, and entered the house. Nicholas, in a state of terror, sat facing them, trying to quell his shaking.

"As you know," the agent with the greater double chin explained, "it is our job to protect the liberties of American citizens from totalitarian intrusion. We never investigate legitimate political parties such as the Democratic or Republican parties, which are bona fide political parties under American law." He then began to talk about the Socialist Workers Party, which, he explained to Nicholas, was not a legitimate political party but a Communist organization devoted to violent revolution at the expense of American liberties.

Nicholas knew all that. He kept silent, however.

"And your wife," the other agent said, "could be of use to us, since she belongs to the student corps of the SWP, in reporting who attends their meetings and what is said there." Both agents looked expectantly at Nicholas.

"I'll have to discuss this with Rachel," Nicholas said. "When she comes home."

"Are you engaged in political activity, Mr Brady?" the agent with the greater double chin asked him. He had a notebook before him and a fountain pen. The two agents had propped one of their briefcases between Nicholas and them; he saw a square object bulging within it and knew he was being taped.