Side-kicks mumbled something about mind readers (8)

I believe the answer is:

psychics

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'mind readers' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for psychics that I've seen before include "People with occult powers like mediums" , "People who claim to have occult or extrasensory powers" , "They claim to have occult powers of communication with the dead" , "They claim to be in touch with the spirit world" , "They are apparently sensitive to things supernatural" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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