OK! Let me try for the thousandth time in my cycling life to get it!

Preamble: I apparently do not have the inherent logic/ability needed for basic mechanical competence.

Problem: I have Campy Record. It's getting noisy down there. Shifts fine but there is noise when I am in the second and third smallest rear gears.

What would you- who has the logic and ability that I so lack- do? Let me in on your enviable process!

Put it in a stand and localize the noise.

Telling us that it makes 'noise' in the 2nd/3rd smalles rear gears isn't really helpful in diagnosing your problem. Is it the chain rubbing against the derailleur? Is it clicking? Grinding noise? Is it loud? Etc. etc.

I would start by checking the barrel adjust for the rear derailleur cable. Release all the cable tension in your derailleur by shifting to the smallest gear (assuming your derailleur is high-normal, which they usually are) turn the barrel adjust all the way in and then move your shifter leaver one click inwards on the cassette, chain should not shift at this point. Pedal the bike (if you don't have a stand, have someone hold the seat up) and slowly turn the barrel adjust out until it shifts, give it an extra half turn after that to be safe. If that doesn't clear up your noise, we'll need more information to help you out.

I suppose this is my first issue: no stand. It is a ticking sound w/t regular timing, not loud at all, as far as I can tell without a stand the chain is not rubbing against the derailleur.

I will get a person to hold it for me for further diagnostic clues and to try the barrel adjustment as per Sekine's suggestion. Thanks!

Could be as mentioned rear derali to close to the rear cassette.

This may be a silly question, but how much "extra" derailleur cable is sticking out past the rear derailleur and which way is it pointing? Could it be long enough to brush a moving part (such as the chain) when the derailleur changes position for the smaller gears?

I ask because I just this morning noticed a very soft ticking sound that seemed to be in sync with my pedaling. It turned out that the tip of the rather long bit of cable sticking out of the front derailleur was lightly "kissing" the end of the crank arm each time around. A slight upward bend of the cable end eliminated that problem.