"Exactly," O'Connor said. "A good analogy, Mr. Malone." Malone looked at him and felt relieved that he'd managed to get the conversation onto pure lecture-room science so quickly. O'Connor, easily at home in that world, had been able to absorb the shock of Malone's sudden appearance while providing the facts in his own inimitable, frozen manner. "So one telepath couldn't go on doing it all the time," he said. "But--how about several people?" "Several people?" O'Connor said. "I mean ... well, let's look at that blood bank again," Malone said. "You need three quarts of blood. But one person doesn't have to give it. Suppose twelve people gave half a pint each." "Ah," O'Connor said. "I see. Or twenty-four people, giving a quarter-pint each. Or--" "That's the idea," Malone said hurriedly. "I guess there'd be a point of diminishing returns, but that's the point. Would something like that be possible?" O'Connor thought for what seemed like a long time. "It might," he said at last. "At least theoretically. But it would take a great deal of mental co-ordination among the participants. They would all have to be telepaths, of course." "In order to mesh their thoughts right on the button, and direct them properly and at the correct time," Malone said. "Right?" "Ah ... correct," O'Connor said. "Given that, Mr. Malone, I imagine that it might possibly be done." "Wonderful," Malone said. "However," O'Connor said, apparently glad to throw even a little cold water on the notion, "it could not be done for very long periods of time, you understand. It would happen in rather short bursts." "That's right," Malone said, enjoying the crestfallen look on O'Connor's face. "That's exactly what I was looking for." "I'm ... ah ... glad to have been of service," O'Connor said. "However, Mr. Malone, I should like to request--" "Oh, don't worry," Malone said. "I won't slam the door." He vanished. * * * * * It was eight-fifty. Hurriedly, he rinsed himself off, shaved and put on his evening clothes. But he was still late--it was two minutes after nine when he showed up at the door that led off the lobby to the Universal Joint. Luba was, surprisingly, waiting for him there. "Ready for a vast feast?" she asked pleasantly. "In about a minute and a half," Malone said. "Do you mind waiting that long?" "Frankly," Luba said, "in five minutes I will be gnawing holes in the gold paneling around here. And I do want to catch the first floor show, too. I understand they've got a girl who has--" "That," Malone said sternly, "should interest me more than it does you." "I'm always interested in what the competition is doing," Luba said. "Nevertheless," Malone began, and stopped. After a second he started again: "Anyhow, this is important." [Illustration] "All right," she said instantly. "What is it?"