They ate a brief meal. They were all exhausted. They would sleep for a few hours. Messengers would come to report the fate of the gate-house attack. If it failed, then Nereid would get together a few belongings. They would leave for the tunnel, join Entt and start upward, with hundreds of thousands of others, fleeing this doomed realm. Nereid had other plans. She did not know just what, but she knew she would not leave Arturo. But she said nothing, nor did Tad. He was still puzzling, groping with half-formed ideas. The house quieted. Tad was alone in his room. He lay down, trying to plan. It was coming to him. It was feasible. With this equipment he could get into the Castle. But how could he find us? How know even that we were there at all? He would need Nereid. Let her sleep now for a few hours. And he needed the rest himself. He did not intend to sleep, but he drifted off, still vaguely planning. Tad awakened suddenly, wide awake at once, with his mind clear. And like an inspiration he had the answer; as though in his sleep it had come to him, waking him up. That accursed Bhool! Tad saw it all now, clearly; the wonder of it was that he had not seen it before. Bhool in the garden--he had stayed always by me, edged me along. Rhana would want to see me; Bhool had displayed a great interest in me. Tad recalled a dozen suspicious things in Bhool’s actions. And in the garden, when we had disappeared, Tad remembered now that Bhool was for a few moments missing also. And the fellow dropped a platter when he heard Fen say that we were probably in the Castle. Tad had gone into the kitchen and found Bhool in confusion. It came like an inspiration. Bhool knew where we were. Well, if he did, Tad now proposed to get it out of him. Tad crept from his room. The house was silent; Nereid and Fen were asleep. He went to Bhool’s room. It was empty. But in a moment there was a step. Bhool came along the passage from the street door. He had in reality just been to the Castle, finding his opportunity now with the household asleep. He had seen us in our cell. Had told Rhana of the coming attack by the Middge on the gate-house; and she had sent him back to get further information. Tad saw him coming along the passage, smirking to himself, satisfied with his accomplishment. No craven, cringing air about him when he was alone! That was a pose. But Tad leaped out upon him; jerked him roughly into the room. The cringing came to him; but it was not a pose this time--he was frightened, gray-white of face, chattering. “M-master--what is it?” * * * * * Tad twisted him. “What became of Arturo and the big man, his friend?” “M-master--” “Tell me, you damned hangar-rat.” “Master--I don’t know--what you talk--” He chattered off into his own language. “Stop that! Talk English! Stand up here. I’m not hurting you!” But Bhool’s knees gave away. He groveled at Tad’s feet. “I want to know what you did with them. Where are they?”