Any attempt to place the essentials of the ancient knowledge in the hands of the common people is met by a determined, organized effort to prevent it, and to destroy, or disable the one who tries it.”
“It’s worse than that,” amended Ben, “I spent our rest in the clink looking over the city. I wondered why the district attorney should take such an interest in us, so I took a look into his mind. I found out who his boss was, and took a look at his mind. What I found there interested me so much that I had to run up to the state capital and see what made things tick there. That took me back to Spring Street and the financial district. Believe it or not, from there I had to look up some of the most sacred cows in the community—clergymen, clubwomen, business leaders, and stuff.” He paused.
“Well, what about it? Don’t tell me everybody is out of step but Willie—I’ll break down and cry.”
“No—that was the odd part about it. Nearly all of these heavyweights were good Joes, people you’d like to know. But usually—not always, but usually— the good Joes were dominated by someone they trusted, someone who had helped them to get where they were, and these dominants were not good Joes, to state it gently. I couldn’t get into all of their minds, but where I was able to get in, I found the same sort of thing that Phil found in Brinckle y—cold calculated awareness that their power lay in keeping the people in ignorance.”
Joan shivered. “That’s a sweet picture you paint, Ben—just the right thing for a bed-time story. What’s our next move?.”What do you suggest?
“Me? I haven’t reached any conclusion. Maybe we should take on these tough babies one at a time, and smear em”
“How about you, Phil—?”
“I haven’t anything better to offer. We’ll have to plan a shrewd campaign, however.”
“Well, I do have something to suggest myself.”
“Let’s have it.”
“Admit that we blindly took on more than we could handle. Go back to Shasta and ask for help.”
“Why, Ben!” Joan’s dismay was matched by Phil’s unhappy face. Ben went on stubbornly, “Sure, I know it’s grovelling, but pride is too expensive and the job is too—”
He broke off when he noticed Joan’s expression. “What is it kid?”
“We’ll have to make some decision quickly—that is a police car that just stopped out in front.”
Ben turned back to Phil. “What’ll it be; stay and fight, or go back for reinforcements?”
“Oh, you’re right. I’ve known it ever since I got a look at Brinckley’s mind—but I hated to admit it.”
The three stepped out into the patio, joined hands, and shot straight up into the air.
Chapter Eleven “A Little Child Shall Lead Them”
“Welcome home!” Ephraim Howe met them when they landed. “Glad to have you back.” He led them into his own private apartment. “Rest yourselves while I stir up the fire a mite.” He chucked a wedge of pinewood into the wide grate, pulled his homely old rocking chair around so that it faced the fire and his guests, and settled down. “Now suppose you tell me all about it. No, I’m not hooked in with the others—you can make a full report to the council when you’re ready.”
“As a matter of fact, don’t you already know everything that happened to us, Mr. Howe?”
Phil looked directly at the Senior as he spoke.
“No, I truly don’t. We let you go at it your own way, with Ling keeping an eye out to see that you didn’t get hurt. He has made no report to me.”
“Very well, sir.” They took turns telling him all that had happened to them, occasionally letting him see directly through their minds the events they had taken part in.
When they were through Howe gave them his quizzical smile and inquired, “So you’ve come around to the viewpoint of the council?”
“No, sir!” It was Phil who answered him. “We are more convinced of the need for positive, immediate action than we were when we left—but we are convinced, too, that we aren’t strong enough nor wise enough to handle it alone. We’ve come back to ask for help, and to urge the council to abandon its policy of teaching only those who show that they are ready, and, instead, to reach out and teach as many minds as can accept your teachings.