He heard nothing but the babble of Gian voices. But Nereid’s hearing was keener. “Jeff,” she whispered. “I hear his voice.” * * * * * She led Tad across the room; they threaded their way, infinitely dangerous. They came to a broad doorway, its door ajar. They did not dare open it. They waited, crouching aside from the passing people. The door opened presently; a woman looked in for a moment. “Nereid--now!” They slid through the doorway. Tad saw me sitting beside Rhana, with three men guards standing over me! There was no one else in the room. Tad and Nereid found a place to crouch. They listened to our talk, waited, hoping to find a way to get at me and help me escape. A sudden rush at these guards-- Tad had brought Nereid because if blank darkness were encountered in the Castle corridors underground, Nereid would be able to guide him. He was sorry now that he had brought her. Had he been alone--a leap on these guards; he and I fighting our way out-- But Arturo? Where was Arturo, since I was not in the cell, but up here? Nereid, crouching silently, reached me with her thoughts, but she must have reached Rhana also. Nereid, intently thinking, had crept forward close to the table; Tad still clung to her. Rhana suddenly put out the lights. Tad was confused. He decided to make a sudden rush for me. He even brushed me with his robe, but Nereid pulled him away. Her mind, her whole heart now, instinctively was for Arturo. And Tad agreed it was better. My thoughts had given Nereid the information she sought. She and Tad moved swiftly for the door. It was partly open now; they slid through. They would get Arturo and come back for me. In the dark corridors they moved more freely. They crossed the bridge, went down the incline, came to Arturo’s cell. The route was what my thoughts of it had given them, for this was not the cell Bhool had described. Even in that he had lied to Tad. The cell door could be opened from the corridor side. They found Arturo, and robed him like themselves. They were ready. Nereid stood listening. From overhead came muffled sounds, cries, running feet. They left the cell and crept back along the corridor. Tad was leading. At a sharp corner he ran full into me! CHAPTER XVIII. NEREID’S STRATEGY. Four of us now, shadowed prowlers. It had taken them only a moment to get me into the robe and adjust its connections. Strange experience! I felt the tiny vibrations of the robe; it tingled my flesh. Through the dark panes of the goggles I could barely see the outlines of the dim corridor; but in a moment they seemed clearer. Empty corridor! It was so strange to hear the voices of others beside me--and yet not see them. To stretch out my hand, yet not see my arm. To touch, in a lighted corridor, something unseen. “Who is that?” “It’s Tad--let go of me!”