We did, and in the short time before the early dawn of summer gilded the east windows, we combed that castle from roof to cellars; but the incredible fact which we had uncovered remained, not to be dispelled or explained by any means in our power. Geoff Exeter, our poor gallant blind Geoff, had disappeared.... CHAPTER XXI I truly believe that that day was the longest and worst I ever managed to live through. The aliens who ringed the castle did not attack in force: but they maintained a kind of sullen, dangerous watchfulness over the place, and every time one of us showed himself at a window, a rifle cracked and a slug spread itself on a wall nearby or buried itself in the ceiling above him. "What are they doing?" Marion asked me again and again. "Why are they waiting?" And I could not tell her. The night came, but our sleep was no more than an occasional leaden doze which left us unrefreshed, with gummy aching eyes and minds gnawed by worry. Where in hell was Geoff? Had they slipped in and abducted him, right out from beneath our noses? Hardly. The doors and windows were still bolted. Had he left of his own free will? And if so, _how_? And why? "The place is haunted," Alec had said somberly at dinner; and in my heart I half agreed with him. That night we had renewed our barricades at the head of the stairs, and kept our watches as before. About six in the morning I was starting to tear down the lumber once more when a hand was laid on my arm, and the Colonel, his face gray and drawn, said, "Leave 'em, boy." "Why?" "Come and look out the window. They've gathered. There must be two hundred if there's a one. We can't hold that great hall against them when they come. We've got to make a stand up here." It was true. The groves and the unkempt lawns swarmed with them, their loathsome bodies all gay and shining in the sunlight. "Still clerks and shopkeepers?" I asked. "No, this is a rather less appetizing lot. More like the mugs you were always spying on in pubs," said Alec. "They look--well, pretty competent." "We'll give them a reception," said the Colonel grimly. "Spread out, front and back, and fire into the brown of 'em when I give the word. Empty your rifles and then your revolvers as fast as you can; the fools are bunched so that we can't miss. There's not a military man in the lot, I'll be bound." * * * * *