'It's my first night loose too. I've put it to good use. Philipson didn't want to take more servants into his confidence than he could help, so I went with Ah Sing for this.' He pointed to the cigar-shaped object, which I now saw was a folded pair of wings of the largest type, fitted with that peculiar "carapace" above the hinges. Philipson had stooped in silence, and was examining the structure all over. 'You should be a skilled flier by now, Mirlees?' he said briskly, looking up. 'Pretty fair with the wings of the school. I've never used this pattern.' 'Kneel down here, and I will show you the difference. These are harder at first, but afterwards there is no comparison--they will carry you far faster, and the greater wing-purchase will give you longer rests. On these wings, barring accidents, you should get over the worst of the heights before daylight. Then the dawn-wind will set in from due west--your very course--and blow steadily all day, as it almost invariably does at this time of year. With the help of that and the power you should get so far across by sunset as to be well down off the ridges and over a spot where you may risk resting in the open. As soon as you come into inhabited country again, burn the wings and make your way on foot. There--it's risky enough, but our people have often done as much and more. What do you say?' 'How about the cold?' 'I have prepared for that. Here is one of the suits used by our own fliers when they go over the heights. Once you have put it on you must get out of this valley quickly, however, or the heat of it may overcome you.' 'And the power?' 'That is quite easy. This lever sets it in action, this connects it with the rib; both are moved by the right hand reaching up, the arm flexed double.' Simple as the device obviously was, I didn't care to trust my life to it without trial. Philipson noticed my hesitation. 'Never fear, Mirlees,' he said. 'You shall take a preliminary turn here--but it must be a short one. If you do not think you can manage the wings, come down again, and I will hide you until I can devise other means for your departure.' 'And you, Philipson?' I said. 'You remain here?' His voice sank to a solemn whisper. 'It is my destiny,' he said. 'I remain for good or ill. My servants also--they are already married to women of my people.' 'And you, Poyning?' 'I have not changed, Mirlees,' he said. 'I shall never change.' I shook the both of them by the hand, then called up the Chinese servants and bade them good-bye also. Philipson helped me into the suit, a light garment but astonishingly warm, which fitted close to the body all over, leaving nothing exposed but the mask of the face; round my waist were strung my little bundle, a parcel of food, a packet of rough silver, and a flint with which I was to burn the wings when they had served my purpose. The latter were then opened out and strapped to my shoulders, and everything was ready for the attempt.