Sonya had other plans. She could get weapons, a small weapon, the electronic needle pipe. She knew where they were kept, and how to use them. “I heard Ren discussing it one day with Maxite the scientist. And there are image-finders stored in the same room. I think I know how to use them.” The girls decided to try it. They slipped unobserved from the room. Sonya found them long, hooded black cloaks. In the darkness, mingled with the confusion of arriving refugees, they got out of the castle without being recognized. “Where are we going?” Dolores whispered. They were all three tense with excitement. Sonya had turned toward the rear of the castle, into the dimly lighted street along the base of the wall. “A gate-door here,” she whispered. “It is guarded by Grett. Quiet! Stand close beside me, but do not speak. But be ready to do what I say. Soon we will have the weapons.” In the castle bedroom, before leaving, Sonya had tom a garment into long, narrow strips, a staunch, tough fabric. She handed the strips now to Alice. At the small door in the wall, they paused. “Keep behind me,” Sonya whispered. “Over there in the shadow. But be ready.” The street along here was dark; it was a street little used and at the moment it was empty. Sonya knocked boldly on the door. “Grett! Oh, Grett!” In her own language from within came the muffled question, “Who is there?” “It’s Sonya.” “Yes?” “Open the door.” “No. I must not.” “It’s only Sonya. Don’t you know my voice?” “Yes. What do you want?” “I’ve news from Ren. He is . . . oh Grett, you must let me show you.” There was the sound of dropping metal bars. The doors opened cautiously a trifle. Sonya put her hand casually on the door. “It’s only Sonya, Grett. See here what I have.” She tugged at the door. The guard was revealed, standing with the leveled metal pipe in his hand. Sonya touched the weapon. “Turn that away, Grett. It . . . frightens me!” There was a low cry, a scuffle. Sonya had snatched the pipe. She leaped backward, swung it level. “Don’t move, Grett! Don’t make a sound! If you do I . . . I’ll kill you!” “Sonya!” “I’m desperate! Can’t you see it? Get back in there!” She called softly, “Alice! Dolores! Here! Come inside, quickly.” She had backed the frightened, surprised young man into the corridor, with leveled weapon and crisp menacing words. In the glow of the passageway’s single light, she held the weapon while Alice and Dolores bound the man’s legs and arms with the strips of fabric. Sonya gagged him, and they rolled him along the floor to the wall and left him. Alice was grim and pale, frightened at what they had done. Dolores was trembling. “We haven’t hurt him, have we?” Sonya bent down, loosened the gag a trifle. “No, he’s all right. Lie quiet, Grett. And when they find you, tell them you’re not to blame. Sonya tricked you. We may be back by then, anyway, and I’ll take the blame.”