"Your mind and history."

"Well, it won't repeat itself this time. You're tougher and smarter than Church. Need anything special for Powell's party? Women? Clothes? Jewels? Money? Just call on Monarch."

"Nothing, but thank you very much."

"Criminal but generous, that's me." Reich smiled as he arose to go. He did not offer to shake hands.

"Mr. Reich!" Tate called suddenly.

Reich turned at the door.

"The screaming will continue. The Man With No Face is not a symbol of murder."

"What? Oh Christl The nightmares? Still? You God damned peeper. How did you get that? How did you---"

"Don't be a fool. D'you think you can play games with a 1st?" "Who's playing, you bastard? What about the nightmares?" "No, Mr. Reich, I won't tell you. I doubt if anyone but a 1st can tell

you, and naturally you would not dare to consult another after this

conference." "For God's sake, man! Are you going to help me?" "No, Mr. Reich." Tate smiled malevolently. "That's my little weapon.

It keeps us on a parity basis. Balance of power, you understand. Mutual dependence ensures mutual faith. Criminal but peeper... that's me."

Like all upper-grade Espers, Lincoln Powell, Ph.D. 1, lived in a private house. It was not a question of conspicuous consumption, but rather a problem of privacy. Although thought transmission was too faint to penetrate masonry, the average plastic apartment unit was too flimsy to block this transmission. Life in any such multiple dwelling was life in an inferno of naked emotion for an Esper.

Powell, the Police Prefect, could afford a small lime-stone maisonette on Hudson Ramp overlooking the North River. There were only four rooms; upstairs a bedroom and study, downstairs a living room and kitchen. There was no servant in the house. Like most upper-grade Espers, Powell required large quantities of solitude. He preferred to do for himself. He was in the kitchen, checking over the refreshment-dials in preparation for the party, whistling a plaintive, crooked tune.

He was a slender man in his late thirties, tall, loose, slow moving.