Carter, decided that
conversation with Lou was out, and started to walk away. Then he
realized that he couldn't have Carter thinking he was crazy. He had to
figure out something to tell the man--and in a hurry, too.

Carter smiled and gestured to him. "Ah, Mr. Malone," he said. "I'm
glad you brought our Lou home safely. I've heard a little about your--
ah--escapade. Astounding, really."

"Not for the FBI," Malone said modestly. "We've been through too
much."

"But--"

"No, really," Malone said. "We never call anything astounding any
more."

"I can well imagine," Carter said. "Is there anything I can do for
you?"

Malone thought fast. He had to have something, and he didn't have much
time. "Why--uh--" he said, and then it came to him. "Yes, as a matter
of fact you can," he said.

"Glad to be of service," Carter said. "I'm sure we can do anything you
request."

"Have you got any more data on telepathic projection?" Malone said.

Sir Lewis Carter frowned. "Telepathic projection?" he said.

"The stuff--the phenomenon Cartier Taylor mentioned," Malone said, "in
_Minds and Morons_. I think it was page eighty-four."

"Oh," Carter said. "Oh, yes. Of course. Well, Mr. Malone, we'll see
what we can do for you."

Malone sighed. "Thanks," he said mournfully. "I guess--I guess that's
all, then." He smiled at Lou, and turned the smile into a terrifying
scowl when his eye caught Carter's. "Oh," Malone said. "So long. So
long, everybody."

"Ken--"

This was not, he told himself sadly, either the time or the place.
"Goodbye, Sir Lewis," he said. "Goodbye, Lou."

The elevator opened its doors and received him.

* * * * *

Exactly fifty-nine minutes after Cesare Manelli had hung up on him,
Malone showed up in the stately and sumptuous suite that belonged, for
a stiff fee every month, to the firm of Rodger, Willcoe, O'Vurr and
Aoud. The girl at the desk was his old Spearmint friend.

"Mr. Manelli," Malone said. "I've got an appointment. My name is
Malone and his is Manelli. He works here." That, he told himself, was
an understatement; but at least he had a chance of getting his point
across.

"Oh," the girl said. Her gum popped. "Certainly. Right away, Mr.
Maloney."

Malone opened his mouth, then shut it again. It just wasn't worth the
trouble, he thought.

The girl did things with a switchboard, then turned to him again. "Mr.
Manelli's office is right down there in back," she said, pointing
vaguely. "Think