The image that created in his mind was so odd that Malone, in self- defense, stopped thinking altogether until he'd reached the first hospital, a small place situated in the shrinking countryside West of Washington. It was called, he knew, the Rice Pavilion. * * * * * The place was small, and white. It bore a faint resemblance to Monticello, but then that was true, Malone reflected, of eight out of ten public buildings of all sorts. The front door was large and opaque, and Malone went up the winding driveway, climbed a short flight of marble steps, and rapped sharply. The door opened instantly. "Yes?" said the man inside, a tall, balding fellow wearing doctor's whites and a sad, bloodhound-like expression. "Yes," Malone said automatically. "I mean--my name is Kenneth J. Malone." "Mine," said the bloodhound, "is Blake. Doctor Andrew Blake." There was a brief pause. "Is there anything we can do for you?" the doctor went on. "Well," Malone said, "I'm looking for people who can read minds." Blake didn't seem at all surprised. He nodded quietly. "Of course," he said. "I understand perfectly." "Good," Malone told him. "You see, I thought I'd have a little trouble finding--" "Oh, no trouble at all, I assure you," Blake went on, just as mournfully as ever. "You've come to the right place, believe me, Mr.-- ah--" "Malone," Malone said. "Kenneth J. Frankly, I didn't think I'd hit the jackpot this early--I mean, you were the first on my list--" The doctor seemed suddenly to realize that the two of them were standing out on the portico. "Won't you come inside?" he said, with a friendly gesture. He stepped aside and Malone walked through the doorway. Just inside it, three men grabbed him. Malone, surprised by this sudden reception, fought with every ounce of his FBI training. But the three men had his surprise on their side, and three against one was heavy odds for any man, trained or not. His neck placed firmly between one upper and lower arm, his legs pinioned and his arms flailing wildly, Malone managed to shout: "What the hell is this? What's going on?" Dr. Blake was watching the entire operation from a standpoint a few feet away. He didn't look as if his expression were ever going to change. "It's all for your own good, Mr. Malone," he said calmly. "Please believe me." "My God!" Malone said. He caught somebody's face with one hand and then somebody else grabbed the hand and folded it back with irresistible force. He had one arm free, and he tried to use it--but not for long. "You think I'm nuts!" he shouted, as the three men produced a strait-jacket from somewhere and began to cram him into it. "Wait!" he cried, as the canvas began to cramp him. "You're wrong! You're making a terrible mistake!" "Of course," Dr. Blake said. "But if you'll just relax we'll soon be able to help you--"