There were weapons for a small army here in the Middge arsenal, but almost none were ready; all unassembled as yet, for this thing Rhana had done had come too unexpectedly. The weapons--all this equipment for war against the Gians--would be taken up through the passage, to be assembled later. Unless the gates could be closed now, this realm down here was doomed. The Middge would have to cast their lot above-- “But they may get the gates closed,” Tad exclaimed. “Then,” said Nereid, “the people will be turned back. We like it here--you know that, Tad. Each to his own portion. The Creator intended it.” Some of the weapons were brought up for Fen’s inspection. There was one device which strangely interested Tad. Equipment complete now, for four people. He gazed at it, listened to Nereid as she translated what the scientists were telling Fen about it. Tad said suddenly, “Nereid, I want those. Can they spare them?” “What for, Tad?” “I don’t know.” He did not. It may have been a premonition, dawning, unformed plans in his mind. But he knew he wanted this equipment--more eagerly than he had ever wanted anything before. Nereid told her father. There was much discussion. The other men came over; Tad pleaded earnestly. He got the equipment. He sat beside it, puzzling, wondering what had prompted him to demand it. Bhool had gone a short distance away to another part of the ledge to see what was going on there. He came back. Tad concealed his possessions; he made Nereid sit with her robe over them. He roughly, angrily ordered Bhool to keep away. That, too, was a premonition. It seemed to the impatient Tad an endless time before they were ready to start back. But it came at last. The Middge expedition was starting now for the flood-gates. The ride back also seemed endless. Bhool was put with Fen; Nereid and Tad, still with the equipment concealed, rode together. The open void of the main abyss held a confusion of activity now. The roads were crowded with Middge--the beginning of the retreat. Every house showed lights and hurried, panic-stricken movement. Overhead, an occasional huge aëro of Gians would pass, flying for the City of the Mound. Tad was hoping that we would be at Fen’s house. But we were not. The note was there, untouched. Tad went to his room, and hid the equipment. Bhool prepared food. Nereid was still trying to communicate with us. At this time, probably, I was still unconscious, and she could not reach Arturo with her thoughts. It may have been that his mind was too absorbed with our plight--I cannot say. Fen had no plan to find us. But he said once, “They may be in the Castle--if it is success--the gate attack--I will have young men try to get in there--” Tad recalls that from the adjoining room where Bhool was working a clang sounded as he dropped a metal platter. * * * * *