“In any case,” Her Majesty said, “this process has been going on ever since you knew that telepathy was possible, two years ago. But in the past forty-eight hours matters have accelerated tremendously.”
“That sounds good,” Malone said. “Does it mean these mind-changers I’ve been thinking about can’t get through to me?”
“What mind-changers?” the Queen said. “Oh. I see.” She paused. “Well, I can’t be positive about this, Sir Kenneth; it’s all so new, you know. All I can tell you is that there haven’t been any flashes of telepathic energy in your mind in the last forty-eight hours.”
“Well,” Malone said doubtfully, “that’s something. And I am sorry I had to wake you, Your Majesty.”
“Oh, that’s perfectly all right,” she said. “I know you’re working hard to restore order to the realm, and it is the duty of any Sovereign to give such aid as she can to her Royal subjects.”
Malone cleared his throat. “I trust,” he said, “Your Majesty will ever find me a faithful servant.”
Her Majesty smiled. “I’m sure I shall,” she said. “Good night, Sir Kenneth.”
“Good night,” he said, and flipped off. At once, the phone chimed again.
He flipped the switch on. “Malone here,” he said.
Boyd’s face appeared on the screen. “Ken,” he said fervently, “I am very glad you’re still in town.”