“No,” admitted the Arkadian. And added, stubbornly, “But I haven’t really tried as yet.”
“Try now,” invited Master Elwyn. “Try to read my mind. I give you full permission—nor will I set up barriers against you.”
Long seconds ticked away and added up to minutes while Duke Harald tried.
“Is there some special method?” he asked at last. “Some trick of the mind that I should know?”
“No, your grace. There is no trick. It is no harder than to open your eyes.”
“Then,” Count Godfrey asked the puzzled question, “did the drug work, or didn’t it?”
“It worked—last night. And brought psychosis in its train. However—and I’ll try to keep the explanation simple—in overcoming that delirium, in reestablishing his defenses against his own unconscious, Duke Harald thereby nullified the action of the drug. And canceled, I am certain, any future chance of using it.”
“Very well, then.” Confronted thus with total overthrow of all his plans, Duke Harald spoke with difficulty. “Very well, install your hypnotic block—and have done!”
“I must first,” there was sympathy in Master Elwyn’s tone, “ask your permission to explore your mind. Only thus can I obtain the data necessary for sure action.”
“Permission granted,” said Duke Harald. At least, with the block in force, he would not have to talk about this episode, even to Count Godfrey. There would be no unwanted sympathy. He closed his eyes and waited; and wondered if he would feel the contact when it came.