"Just as you say, Miss Telzey," he agreed. "I hate to miss whatever you're going to be doing here, but if you _don't_ lock me up now, Miss Halet will figure I was helping you and fire me as soon as you let her out." Telzey nodded, then cocked her head in the direction of the rear compartment. Faint sounds coming through the door indicated that Halet had regained consciousness and was having hysterics. "You might tell her," Telzey suggested, "that there'll be a grown-up crest cat sitting outside the compartment door." This wasn't true, but neither Delquos nor Halet could know it. "If there's too much racket before I get back, it's likely to irritate him...." A minute later, she set both car doors on lock and went outside, wishing she were less informally clothed. Sunbriefs and sandals tended to make her look juvenile. * * * * * The parking attendant appeared startled when she approached him with Tick-Tock striding alongside. "They'll never let you into the offices with that thing, miss," he informed her. "Why, it doesn't even have a collar!" "Don't worry about it." Telzey told him aloofly. She dropped a two-credit piece she'd taken from Halet's purse into his hand, and continued on towards the building entrance. The attendant squinted after her, trying unsuccessfully to dispel an odd impression that the big catlike animal with the girl was throwing a double shadow. The Moderator's chief receptionist also had some doubts about TT, and possibly about the sunbriefs, though she seemed impressed when Telzey's identification tag informed her she was speaking to the daughter of Federation Councilwoman Jessamine Amberdon. "You feel you can discuss this ... emergency ... only with the Moderator himself, Miss Amberdon?" she repeated. "Exactly," Telzey said firmly. A buzzer sounded as she spoke. The receptionist excused herself and picked up an earphone. She listened a moment, said blandly, "Yes.... Of course.... Yes, I understand," replaced the earphone and stood up, smiling at Telzey. "Would you come with me, Miss Amberdon?" she said. "I think the Moderator will see you immediately...." Telzey followed her, chewing thoughtfully at her lip. This was easier than she'd expected--in fact, too easy! Halet's work? Probably. A few comments to the effect of "A highly imaginative child ... overexcitable," while Halet was arranging to have the Moderator's office authorize Tick-Tock's transfer to the life Banks, along with the implication that Jessamine Amberdon would appreciate a discreet handling of any disturbance Telzey might create as a result. It was the sort of notion that would appeal to Halet-- * * * * *