"that just isn't
possible. Really. Miss Thompson is a ward of the state, and we couldn't
possibly allow her release without a court order."

Malone thought that over. "O.K.," he said at last. "I can see that." He
turned to Boyd. "Here's a job for you, Tom," he said. "Get one of the
judges on the phone. You'll know which one will do us the most good,
fastest."

"Hm-m-m," Boyd said. "Say Judge Dunning," he said. "Good man. Fast
worker."

"I don't care who," Malone said. "Just get going, and get us a release
for Miss Thompson." He turned back to the doctor. "By the way," he said,
"has she got any other name? Besides Elizabeth Tudor, I mean," he added
hurriedly.

"Her full name," Dr. Harman said, "is Rose Walker Thompson. She is not
Queen Elizabeth I, II, or XXVIII, and she is not immortal."

"But she is," Malone pointed out, "a telepath. And that's why I want
her."

"She may," Dr. Harman said, "be a telepath." It was obvious that he had
partly managed to forget the disturbing incidents that had happened a
few minutes before. "I don't even want to discuss that part of it."

"O.K., never mind it," Malone said agreeably. "Tom, get us a court order
for Rose Walker Thompson. Effective yesterday--day before, if possible."

Boyd nodded, but before he could get to the phone Dr. Harman spoke
again.

"Now, wait a moment, gentlemen," he said. "Court order or no court
order, Miss Thompson is definitely not a well woman, and I can't see my
way clear to--"

"I'm not well myself," Malone said. "I need sleep and I probably have a
cold. But I've got to work for the national security, and--"

"This is important," Boyd put in.

"I don't dispute that," Dr. Harman said. "Nevertheless, I--"

The door that led into the other room suddenly burst open. The three men
turned to stare at Miss Wilson, who stood in the doorway for a long
second and then stepped into the office, closing the door quietly behind
her.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," she said.

"Not at all," Malone said. "It's a pleasure to have you. Come again
soon." He smiled at her.

She didn't smile back. "Doctor," she said, "you better talk to Miss
Thompson. I'm not at all sure what I can do. It's something new."

"New?" he said. The worry lines on his face were increasing, but he
spoke softly.

"The poor dear thinks she's going to get out of the hospital now," Miss
Wilson said. "For some reason, she's convinced that the FBI is going to
get her released, and--"

A