“She says the Middge need not fear. She will show them a way of escape from here. Or they can stay--” “How can they stay?” Tad whispered. “Those flood-gates will break in a week or two at most.” “She says, no danger. Or, if they care to go, a passage upward.” “There isn’t any. Or if there is, Entt, the Middge can’t find it.” “It must be found,” said Nereid. “Not where she says--we cannot trust her. We Middge must find it ourselves.” For a long time now the Middge had been secretly sending out exploring parties, but so far without success. Fen interrupted impatiently: “We listen to her, not talk.” Rhana’s speech went on. Then she stopped. At her final command the mob began dispersing. Soon the garden was nearly empty. Bhool stood behind Tad. “Masters, we go?” Nereid had just suggested it. “My father, should we not go home? There will be messengers there for you by now. You remember? We must go to the meeting in the Caldron.” “Yes, you say right, child. There will be attack upon the gates. We must try to get them closed.” Bhool insisted: “We go now, Masters. I go with you.” It was then they missed Arturo and me. Nereid said: “Arturo, we will start now--” But he was not behind her. Tad saw her look around; saw her run a few feet, gaze and then run back. He saw her face. It went suddenly blank. And then fear sprang to it. She gave a timid little cry: “Arturo!” She stood trembling and stricken. She knew then, or guessed, I am sure. She stood, with trembling intense thoughts trying to reach us. But could not. They searched around the garden. They did not see the dark arch in the wall into which we had been drawn; Tad thinks it was closed up, presenting only stones. Bhool searched with them. He whined, “Masters, this is dangerous. If she sees us here, punishment with the chains.” They decided we must have been separated from them, unable to find them in the departing crowd. We would go home; they would find us there waiting. But we were not there. Instead were three Middge couriers. They had been there some time. Fen listened to them. His old face brightened. “Good news,” said Entt. “A passage upward has been found. At the Caldron the meeting is called now. The weapons are not ready, but an attack will be made.” “On the gate-house?” Tad demanded. “Yes.” Bhool was eagerly listening to what was being said. Tad shoved him out of the way. “Fen, are you going to this meeting?” Tad asked. “Yes. Now.” He added in his own language: “Bhool, get ready the _arras_. We will ride.” Bhool left reluctantly. But Nereid did not want to go. We might come back here--she wanted to be here. But they would not let her stay.