Here, the Master assured himself, he was safe, safe alike in his life and in his power. For here were the telepathic controls of the ingenious and terrible robots, that kept the world securely his. Here also were some of the robots themselves, resembling neither machines nor men as they waited in everlasting patience and vigilance for his activating thought. And lest some danger creep upon him unaware, there were the Guard, faithful in their unleashed cruelty and mindless worship; there were the ray screens and thought detectors; and primitive but reassuring, there was the electric lock upon the elevator that was the sole entrance to this room. Only the vibrations of hate beat in, beat past locks and screens and rays, beat through glass and steel and plastic, beat gently, tirelessly, like ripples on a rock.
Safe indeed was the Master, and powerful beyond all telling, but the Master was afraid.
On the Master's desk the visiscreen glowed softly into life, and from it his secretary spoke. "Technician Heidkamp, special director Capitol Mecho-lab 43, desires an audience in the Room of Power to demonstrate the Time Visor to your Excellency."
"Has it been inspected by the Director of Precautions?" The Master's fingers drummed nervously on his desk and he cast a sidelong glance behind him, although he knew that no human being could penetrate the Room of Power without his orders.
"No, your Excellency, it bears a waiver with your signature."
"No matter, have it inspected and report back at once."
The visiscreen faded into lifelessness, and the Master returned to his musing. "No one in all the history of the world has ever been so powerful as I," he muttered, and yet he knew that in his heart there was fear, a fear which he had not the courage to face.
Again the visiscreen glowed, this time with the image of the Director of Precautions, who reported, "I, Melsit, have inspected the Time Visor, Experimental Permit No. 445,826, and find it to contain no dangerous elements."
"It is well," said the Master, releasing the elevator lock, "Technician Heidkamp may bring it to my Presence, accompanied by two of the Guard. Remain in communication."
A bell rang softly as the elevator rose into view. Technician Heidkamp, a man whose gray, lined face and desolate eyes belied his middle-age, gave the salute, then entered wheeling before him a cabinet whose glass panels revealed an intricacy of tubes and wiring in interlacing spirals. Behind him came the giant Guards, watchful and impassive.