e said. "I know just
what I want to say, and I think I can get the information without too
much trouble."

One of the psychiatrists spoke up. "I trust you won't disturb the
patient, Mr. Malone," he said.

"Sir Kenneth," Malone snapped.

The psychiatrist looked both abashed and worried. "I'm sorry," he said
doubtfully.

Malone nodded. "That's all right," he said. "I'll try not to disturb Her
Majesty unduly."

The psychiatrists conferred. When they came out of the huddle one of
them--Malone was never able to tell them apart--said: "Very well, we'll
let you handle it. But we will be forced to interfere if we feel you're
... ah ... going too far."

Malone said: "That's fair enough, gentlemen. Let's go."

He opened the door.

It was a magnificent room. The whole place had been done over in plastic
and synthetic fibers to look like something out of the Sixteenth
Century. It was as garish, and as perfect, as a Hollywood movie
set--which wasn't surprising, since two stage designers had been hired
away from color-TV spectaculars to set it up. At the far end of the
room, past the rich hangings and the flaming chandeliers, was a great
throne, and on it Her Majesty was seated. Lady Barbara reclined on the
steps at her feet.

Malone saw the expression on Her Majesty's face. He wanted to talk to
Barbara--but there wasn't time. Later, there might be. Now, he collected
his mind and drove one thought at the Queen, one single powerful
thought:

_Read me! You know by this time that I have the truth--but read deeper!_

The expression on her face changed suddenly. She was smiling a sad,
gentle little smile. Lady Barbara, who had looked up at the approach of
Sir Kenneth and his entourage, relaxed again, but her eyes remained on
Malone. "You may approach, my lords," said the Queen.

Sir Kenneth led the procession, with Sir Thomas and Sir Andrew close
behind him. O'Connor and Gamble came next, and bringing up the rear were
the four psychiatrists. They strode slowly along the red carpet that
stretched from the door to the foot of the throne. They came to a halt a
few feet from the steps leading up to the throne, and bowed in unison.

"You may explain, Sir Kenneth," Her Majesty said.

"Your Majesty understands the conditions?" Malone asked.

"Perfectly," said the Queen. "Proceed."

Now the expression on Barbara's face changed, to wonder and a kind of
fright. Malone didn't look at her. Instead, he turned to Dr. O'Connor.

"