"We'll come to that," I promised. "First, let's cut away the
underbrush. Yes or no. Does she have the Stigma?"
He sought out her eyes, and the way they dropped to my rug I knew that
the subterfuge was over. "Yes," he said in a strained, thin voice.
"Mary has the Stigma."
"And it is HC?"
All three of them nodded, and Mary's head came up with an odd sort of
pride. Well, she should have been proud--for all I could find out, she
was unique.
"All right," I said. "And now you can get out of my easy-chair, Elmer.
I'd like to sit there." He was obviously surprised by my bad manners.
"Get out!" I growled. "It's time you pups got used to taking orders.
You'll get your bellies full of it from now on."
"From you?" Elmer scoffed. "Ah reckon not, suh!" But he got out of the
chair, and I sat in it.
"Oh, yes you will," I said. "The Lodge will see to that."
"The Lodge again," Keys protested.
"Never heard of it, did you?" I taunted him. "Proof positive that
you're small potatoes in Stigma circles. Well, get set for a shock: I
represent an organization of Psis--an organization devoted to
protecting Stigma cases from Normal society, an organization devoted
to establishing discipline among Psis so that our conflicts with
Normals are kept to a reasonable minimum."
"And you call this a Lodge?" Mary Hall said. "What's its full name?"
"No other," I said. "It's ... well, it's a sort of benevolent and
protective order. It's as secret as Psis can make anything--a select
group."
"I'll bet," Keys sneered. "No TP's in it," he said, reminding me that
telepaths can't close their minds to the peeping of other TP's.
"Unfortunately, none," I agreed. "We are getting ready, however, to
extend membership beyond the TK's, CV's and HC's who are now
enrolled."
"I don't believe it," Mary said. "There aren't any other
hallucinators!"
"None foolish enough to reveal it," I conceded. "You had to louse us
up there--I wonder if any other Stigma power is as feared by Normals?
Certainly they're making a Roman circus over you."
Elmer stood up. "Ah've had enough," he said.
"One thing," I said to him. "The Lodge has a rule that no Psi may use
his powers to the detriment of a Normal, or reveal the existence of
the Lodge. Our discipline is formidable, Elmer. Remember what I say."
* * * * *
Keys was frowning in thought. "Wait a minute, Elmer," he said. "Let me
try this one on him for size." He turned to me. "Are you trying to
tell me that you are a part of this Lodge, Maragon?"
"I'm their counsel," I said.
"A Normal?" he demanded. "It would make sense for Psis to get
together--I've often wondered why it has never worked out more
formally than it has. But to trust a Normal to represent them? Never!"
I grinned at him. "Know any attorneys with the Stigma?" I demanded. "I
know darned well you don't. The Bar Association screens every would-be
lawyer from the moment he enters law school. No, sir. The Lodge had no
choice. They picked on me as an attorney sympathetic with Stigma
Troubles, and trustworthy."
"You make it sound good," Keys admitted. "But then I know you are a
liar." He looked over at Mary Hall. "Although you can prove different
if you're able."