‘I shall try to find out, Your Excellency,’ answered the sea horse as he was tossed on the wave of the President’s double-chinned displeasure. But even as he spoke more fish streamed through the gateway to the great chamber, and swept the council amphitheater. Then shadows appeared struggling at the entrance, and fine sand clouded the water. No one said a word, but fear spread through the water in mysterious waves. Suddenly from the shadows between the cliffs, Raphael saw a strange form appear, a creature with massive legs and arms, in whose round head gleamed two goggle eyes. This thing advanced slowly and, bending over, picked up a black cable from the ocean floor. When the monster saw the gathering, it stopped and peered stupidly about, balancing on one squat, steel-ribbed foot. Then with slow strides it drifted back the way it had come. ‘Mr. Equerry,’ shouted the President in a shrill voice, ‘summon the Admirals of the North and South Atlantic. Instruct Rear Admiral Swordfish and Rear Admiral Sawfish to pursue the enemy and drive him from the sea. In the meantime, the meeting is adjourned.’ He turned nervously to Raphael. ‘I need a good blow of fresh air. I feel as though I had been down at least five hours.’ He lifted his immense head toward the surface, and without another word rose like a black cloud. [Illustration] CHAPTER VI OFF TO WAR Raphael followed the President as quickly as he could to the top of the ocean. The afternoon sun was descending when he lifted his head above water. Far away to the west he thought he could see the castle of the Sorcerer, but it was difficult to be sure with the sun shining in his eyes. He swam slowly toward the President, who was spouting feathery plumes of vapor as he circled about. ‘Goodness, that creature gave me a start,’ said the President when Raphael paddled up. And he blew a jet of vapor over the boy. ‘My nerves are not what they used to be,’ he confided. ‘It comes from being hunted. Anything that looks like a man makes me jump, with exceptions, of course. What did you make of it?’ ‘It was a diver, I think,’ answered Raphael importantly. ‘A diver looks very terrible,’ he added, to save the President’s feelings. ‘I’ve often seen them in the movies at home when Aunt Mary let us go.’ ‘Well, well,’ sighed the President, ‘if it’s only a diver. I thought that....’ Just then Mrs. Whale appeared blowing nervously, followed by an ugly, freckled, snub-nosed little whale some twenty feet in length. ‘Oh, Albert,’ she wailed, ‘what was it? Do you think there is any danger? I can’t bear the suspense. I don’t care for myself, but Junior will be frightened out of yards of growth.’ ‘It was nothing, dear. Only a diver,’ replied her husband. ‘I don’t believe there is any danger.’ At this Junior playfully butted his mother. ‘Junior, don’t! Do you want to hurt your mother, who would give every fluke in her body for you?’