"And end in a loony bin," said Alec. "No, the Colonel's right as far as he goes: this is the place to make a stand, and since we know we can't escape to anywhere in this island that'll be safe, we may as well stop here to make our fight. They aren't going to bring down a blooming brigade to eliminate us, mind you; they'll think, 'Ha, there's only seven, we'll just send round a score or so to pip 'em.' They don't know we've an arsenal here." "And meanwhile," said Geoff excitedly, waving his pipe, "Arold Smiff in Birmingham will be gathering _his_ crew. If we give him--how long would you say, Will?" "Another couple of days, maybe. He's got to treat each of those thugs to a drink or two and sound him out before he hires him. It will take a few days. Besides, he thinks he's got a week at least. I'm supposed to be meandering over England getting names. And I'm afraid that scheme's out, too." "P'raps, p'raps ... well, say we give Arold a couple of days, and then phone him--from Exeter Parva, let's say--to bring his outlaws down here a-whoopin' and a-cussin' in a bunch. How's that? They roar in, mop up practically all the usurpers in sight, then we catch a few of the aliens and tell 'em. 'This is a sample. We can see you, so there's no use your sticking. Scram!' How's that?" "Dandy, dandy. Except for the little matter of getting out of here to phone Arold. What if we're surrounded?" "Oh, hell's tinkling bells! Where's your red Injun blood? But if you like, one of us can leave now, before they arrive. He can contact Arold, have him hurry it up, and in a day or two catch the besiegers in the rear." Geoff was jubilant, and some of his fervor rubbed off on me. I said. "Right! We'll draw straws." "You're the logical choice, Will," said Alec. "You know this Smith, after all. The plan is your pigeon. You go." The Colonel was standing by the window, glancing out now and again as we talked. He said, "One minute chaps. Come here." We crowded to the window. He pointed down to the drive. Shortly we saw a man run stooping across an open space in the old stone balustrade. The substance of the alien body seemed to float about him like a flimsy cloak of many colors. "They're all along the front," said Bedford. "If they've covered the back, lads--it's a bit late for our emissary to think of leaving." We spread out over the house, peering cautiously out of windows at front and back and sides. Then we gathered in the upper hall, as disconsolate a band of crusaders as ever eyed each other with grim scowls. We were entirely surrounded. The siege was on. CHAPTER XX