When the Navy had swum majestically out of the gateway, the crowd broke up into noisy little groups of non-combatants. Raphael saw a gathering of crabs arguing among themselves, while a large blue-green lobster ambled over to join the fight. A starfish, unmindful of the excitement, slept like a red rubber sponge on a coral ledge. The ocean silence grew more oppressive as the light failed. Raphael was watching a hermit crab scuttle round hunting for an empty shell to hide in, when the sea horse swam up. ‘That creature killed both of the octopi guards,’ he said. ‘There must have been a terrible fight. What do you suppose he was doing here?’ ‘He was probably one of the Sorcerer’s spies,’ answered Raphael. ‘Do you really think so?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘I wonder how much he discovered?’ mused the Equerry. ‘I couldn’t find out from the other fish. Some said one thing and some another.’ Just then the President swam up. He loomed dark and indistinct, stirring up the phosphorus in the water which shone about him like moonlight around the edges of a black cloud. ‘If you will spend the night with us, while the Navy drives that monster from the Sea, I will show you many wonderful things,’ he urged Raphael. ‘I know deep valleys in which all sorts of curious fish live, fish with no eyes, fish with windows in their stomachs, fish who light up the pits of the Sea with their own lanterns, besides numerous other serpents and sea beasts.’ For a moment Raphael was tempted to stay and see these wonders. Then he thought of Cassandra and gave up the idea. He was turning to bid the President good-bye, when a small needlefish darted up. ‘Mr. President,’ whistled the needlefish, ‘Admiral Sawfish has sent me with dispatches informing you that the enemy who invaded the Council Chamber has entirely disappeared.’ And he handed Mr. Right Whale a bundle of tightly rolled seaweed. Raphael was worried. ‘Mr. President,’ he implored, ‘will you help me? The Sorcerer may have been warned already of our plans to get into the castle.’ ‘I shall help you as I promised,’ answered the whale, ‘but I don’t know whether there is any entrance to the castle under the sea. If you will wait, I will have my scouts look for one.’ ‘If you would lend me a guide, I could scout for myself,’ urged Raphael. ‘Very well,’ said the President. ‘I must apologize for not providing you with an escort to the island, but the Navy has gone. I am sure you understand my position. My Equerry, however, will guide you.’ Raphael bade the President farewell and sent his respects to the First Lady of the Ocean and her son. ‘Good-bye,’ called His Excellency. ‘Good luck. Farewell. Farewell.’ As he spoke the President drifted off, his voice grew fainter and fainter, the darkness deepened, and Raphael saw him no more. CHAPTER VII EAGLES! EAGLES!