In a near-future setting, the FBI faces a unique challenge: a telepathic spy is infiltrating a top-secret project at a Nevada research facility. Agent Kenneth Malone is tasked with uncovering the identity of this spy, who is believed to be reading the minds of scientists working on a revolutionary non-rocket space drive. The head of the FBI, Andrew J. Burris, expresses his frustration over the situation, emphasizing the urgency of the matter. Malone learns that a telepathy-detecting device has been developed, but it cannot identify the telepath directly. Instead, it can only indicate when someone's mind is being read. The FBI's only hope lies in finding another telepath to counter the spy. Malone's investigation leads him to a peculiar old woman named Elizabeth Thompson, who claims to be Queen Elizabeth I and possesses telepathic abilities. Despite her eccentricity, Malone realizes she may hold the key to locating the spy. As Malone navigates the complexities of working with the Queen and other telepaths, he discovers that they are all mentally unstable, having been driven mad by their abilities. The Queen insists on being treated with respect and demands a royal audience, which Malone reluctantly accommodates. Throughout their interactions, the Queen's whimsical nature contrasts sharply with the serious stakes of the investigation. The plot thickens as Malone uncovers that the telepathic spy is none other than William Logan, a young man in a psychiatric facility. The Queen's insights and Malone's deductions lead to the realization that Logan has been feeding information to foreign agents. In a climactic confrontation, Malone and his team manage to apprehend Logan, but not without a series of comedic and absurd encounters that highlight the challenges of dealing with telepaths. Ultimately, the story blends elements of science fiction, humor, and detective work, as Malone grapples with the bizarre reality of telepathy and the eccentricities of those involved. The narrative explores themes of identity, sanity, and the nature of power, all while maintaining a light-hearted tone amidst the tension of espionage.
By Randall Garrett · First published 1968 · Genre: Mystery, Fantasy, Humor · 8 chapters