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“Yes.” Grant still felt a vague shame. “We’ll have to stop Slag short, before he adds any more victims.”

“Oh, it’s more than that! It’s the people, too, and the knowledge that more Slags may appear. If all the matches suddenly....” She broke off, frowning, as if uncertain whether to continue. “You see, Granny, Tony decided to play because of that. It wasn’t even the charities, really. The people distrust you. Not just because you were wrong, but because they are suspicious of any probing into the powers of mind. They prefer fantasy to scientific hypothesis, and now Slag’s triumphs....” She faltered, and unhappily twisted her face away.

“But Tony could have crushed Slag, too.”

“You know that was different. He had Slag hypnotized first. But Tony was awake when the ball struck!”

“You’re right, Bee. Frankly, I don’t know what the answer could be. I’m working on the core of the ball. There is a chance—”

“I’m sure it was something else! Granny, have you thought of the screen? There must have been a leak, or a failure. Think of that crowd, hoping for their hero. Suppose they subconsciously influenced the sphere, directed it at Tony.”