The voice of Tamis Ravitz came softly, insistently through the steaming
prison twilight. "Joel. Joel!"
He swung away from the window through which he'd been staring at the
streams of pedestrians outside. "Yes?"
The Ganelon girl lowered her voice. "I've been in communication with my
people...."
"What?" Joel couldn't believe his ears. For two days the Unfit had been
locked in the prison. All of them in a single barracks-like room. The
girl hadn't been out of his sight. "How the devil...."
She smiled, tapped her forehead with a slim forefinger.
"Telepathy?"
She nodded.
Joel's green eyes narrowed. Tamis never failed to astonish him. The
suffocating heat didn't bother her in the least.
The other prisoners were sprawled about the floor, many of them stark
naked. Clothes of any kind were a torment. The slightest exertion
brought fountains of sweat pouring from the skin. But Tamis wasn't even
perspiring.
She said, "I've made my report. I've been given permission to tell you
certain facts. Is there anything you particularly want to know?"
Joel scratched the bristles on his chin, frowned. "How is it," he asked
finally, "that the Ganelons have never been discovered?"
An impish grin crossed her smooth elfin features. "Professor Liedl was
almost right."
"Camouflage?"
"Yes. Mental camouflage. Is anyone watching?"