Guy patted the foot and let it go. "I didn't have any more C-clamps, people of Orphalese," he apologized, "but it looks all right at that. Well, let's see. We got to make up our minds about these two, I guess--no, wait!" He held up his hand as a murmur began. "First thing is, we ought to read a verse or two." He opened a purple-bound volume at random, stared at a page for a moment, moving his lips, and then read: "Some of you say, 'It is the north wind who has woven the clothes we wear.' "And I say, Ay, it was the north wind, but shame was his loom, and the softening of the sinews was his thread. "And when his work was done he laughed in the forest." Gently he closed the book, looking thoughtfully at the wall at the back of the room. He scratched his head. "Well, people of Orphalese," he said slowly "they're laughing in the forest all right, I guarantee, but we've got one here that may be honest in the flesh, probably is, though she was a thief in the spirit. Right? Well, do we take her in or reject her, O people of Orphalese?" The audience muttered to itself and then began to call out: "Accept! Oh, bring in the brand! Accept and drive out the imp!" "Fine," said the teen-ager, rubbing her hands and looking at the bearded man. "Guy, let her go." He began to release her from the chair. "You, girl stranger, what's your name?" The girl said faintly, "Ellen Braisted." "'_Meggie_, my name is Ellen Braisted,'" corrected the teen-ager. "Always say the name of the person you're talkin' to in Orph'lese, that way we know it's you talkin', not a flame spirit or wanderer. Okay, go sit down." Ellen limped wordlessly down into the audience. "Oh, and people of Orph'lese," said Meggie, "the car's still there if we need it for anything. It didn't burn. Guy, you go on with this other fellow." Guy stroked his beard and assessed Chandler, looking him over carefully. "Okay," he said. "People of Orphalese, the _third_ order of business is to _welcome_ or reject this _other_ brand saved from the imps, as may be your _pleasure_." Chandler sat up straighter now that all of them were looking at him again; but it wasn't quite his turn, at that, because there was an interruption. Guy never finished. From the valley, far below, there was a sudden mighty thunder, rolling among the mountains. The windows blew in with a crystalline crash. * * * * * The room erupted into confusion, the audience leaping from their seats, running to the broad windows, Guy and the teen-age girl seizing rifles, everyone in motion at once. Chandler straightened, then sat down again. The red-headed man guarding him was looking away. It would be quite possible to grab his gun, run, get away from these maniacs. Yet he had nowhere to go. They might be crazy, but they seemed to have organization.