ences and tried
to turn them aside like the first one. Their deaths are on my head--or
on the organic dust that eight years ago was a Challon. The Challonari
was confused by the contradictions of my present identity, subtly
altered as it has been by Homer's channeling mind, and went insane when
faced with a basic conflict of duties. It was like ... losing a simple
child."

"So we return to Timmy."

"And to you."

"Me? I'm going downhill fast. Let's have it before I hit rock-bottom and
_really_ get around to reacting. And let's have a few straight answers.
You could have by-passed the first block that makes Timmy an idiot.
O. K., why didn't you?"

"I would have lost control of him at once, of course. For one thing, as
an ordinary child his mind would be closed to me just as yours is and I
would be a voiceless animal with no protector, my existence likely to
end at the bottom of a river in a weighted sack."

"No dice. Remember, I know you too well to believe you'd place your own
interests first, much as I hate to admit it."

"As Homer I might, survival being a basic drive. As the Challon-Homer,
however, I needed a better reason than simple self-preservation. I have
that better reason. It lies in you, in Timmy, and in all your kind.
Perhaps you'll see the connection when I tell you that although the
Challon are the most intelligent race yet known to exist, Homo sapiens
is _at present_ not far behind them. Only more efficient communication
and the great strides that it makes possible has advanced the Challon
culture and science so disproportionately far beyond your own."

* * * * *

"So the Challon are a bit brighter and a lot more advanced than we are.
O. K., they seem like a good bunch ... or are they? Come to think of it,
I saw them from your viewpoint which was predisposed to favor them."
Another thought struck him and he fell silent for a moment. "You say we
are almost their equal _at present_. What happens--if this inhibited
potential you speak of--is released--if Man is made whole?"

[Illustration]

The answer came quietly.

"You would have no equal in the known universe."

Phil's face grew thoughtful, sober, while the Challon-Homer watched
through Tim's eyes the progress of a calculated gamble.

"Would the Challon--resent--our becoming superior?"

"For the same reason that the present Challon superiority is not
resented by races of lower intelligence, they would not