“I believed them,” said Duke Harald.
“You are not a Terran. Such social-psychological factors are, of course, conditioned by the planetary culture. You men from outer space,” admitted Master Elwyn, “have always been our gravest danger.”
There was one more point that bothered the Arkadian. He brought it into the open.
“It seems to me,” he said slowly, “that this secret, being known to us, is now no longer secret. Or do you trust us not to speak?”
“No,” said the adept, firmly. “I will be frank, your grace. This embassy is under guard. It will remain so, until you agree—as Count Godfrey and his secretary have agreed—to submit to a permanent hypnotic block against revealing what has happened. That is why I am still here.”
“I see.” From the Terran’s point of view it made, of course, an obvious final safeguard. And there could be no question of refusing. Still—
“One thing more. This treatment: will it rob me of the esper skill?”
“Esper skill? Why, you have none.”
“But—the drug?”
“Your grace,” said Master Elwyn with slow patience, “have you noticed any sign of telepathic power?”