“And you are ready to take that step? Prepared to accept the full responsibility of the esper skill?”
“I am.”
“I must, then, ask your consent to an invasion of your Privacy.”
“Knowing and agreeing with the reasons for this action, I so consent, fully and freely.”
Question and response had taken on, almost, the air of an antiphony. There followed a long silence, while the adept probed the new initiate’s mind.
“Excellent!” said Master Elwyn finally, in the voice of one who gives an accolade. “I shall stay in partial contact for the next half-hour, until the drug takes hold; and in full rapport after that, for as long as you need my guidance in your vigil.”
“And now—the drug?”
“Now, the drug. Bare your arm, please; here, under this sterilamp. I have the hypospray prepared. Five milliliters, intravenous—”
Now! thought Duke Harald, outside at the stairhead. He pressed a button, and a voltage surge passed swiftly down the wires of the Sonotec. Inside the adept’s sanctum, the plastic case fell open with a quiet puff; a reddish liquid boiled away, diffusing its vapors through the room. Duke Harald waited, counting seconds. One, for the gas to take effect; and ten more, for it to disappear again, drawn off through the air ducts.
Then he moved. First the cable of the Sonotec; reeling that in, that nothing might be left to stir suspicion in a passer-by. And next the glittering energy key came into play once more. The master’s door swung fully open now, and Duke Harald stepped within.