Again the chorused answer was accompanied by a roar of voices heard only by Martel: "Habermans we are, and more, and more. We are the Chosen who are habermans by our own free will. We are the Agents of the Instrumentality of Mankind." "What must the others say to us?" "They must say to us, 'You are the bravest of the brave, the most skilful of the skilled. All mankind owes most honor to the Scanner, who unites the Earths of Mankind. Scanners are the protectors of the habermans. They are the judges in the Up-and-Out. They make men live in the place where men need desperately to die. They are the most honored of Mankind, and even the Chiefs of the Instrumentality are delighted to pay them homage!'" Vomact stood more erect: "What is the secret duty of the Scanner?" "To keep secret our law, and to destroy the acquirers thereof." "How to destroy?" "Twice to the _Overload_, back and _Dead_." "If habermans die, what the duty then?" The Scanners all compressed their lips for answer. (Silence was the code.) Martel, who--long familiar with the code--was a little bored with the proceedings, noticed that Chang was breathing too heavily; he reached over and adjusted Chang's Lung-control and received the thanks of Chang's eyes. Vomact observed the interruption and glared at them both. Martel relaxed, trying to imitate the dead cold stillness of the others. It was so hard to do, when you were cranched. "If others die, what the duty then?" asked Vomact. "Scanners together inform the Instrumentality. Scanners together accept the punishment. Scanners together settle the case." "And if the punishment be severe?" "Then no ships go." "And if Scanners not be honored?" "Then no ships go." "And if a Scanner goes unpaid?" "Then no ships go." "And if the Others and the Instrumentality are not in all ways at all times mindful of their proper obligation to the Scanners?" "Then no ships go." "And what, O Scanners, if no ships go?" "The Earths fall apart. The Wild comes back in. The Old Machines and the Beasts return." "What is the known duty of a Scanner?" "Not to sleep in the Up-and-Out." "What is the second duty of a Scanner?" "To keep forgotten the name of fear." "What is the third duty of a Scanner?" "To use the wire of Eustace Cranch only with care, only with moderation." Several pair of eyes looked quickly at Martel before the mouthed chorus went on. "To cranch only at home, only among friends, only for the purpose of remembering, of relaxing, or of begetting." "What is the word of the Scanner?" "Faithful though surrounded by death." "What is the motto of the Scanner?" "Awake though surrounded by silence." "What is the work of the Scanner?" "Labor even in the heights of the Up-and-Out, loyalty even in the depths of the Earths." "How do you know a Scanner?" "We know ourselves. We are dead though we live. And we Talk with the Tablet and the Nail." "What is this Code?"