"Listen to that."
"I hear it. No wonder this is the Plain of Moans." Wayness looked up and down the terrace, where half the tables were already occupied by other guests of the lodge.
"Are we dining outside?"
"If you like."
"It's a pleasant evening. Let's go."
The three went to sit at a table. Time passed: ten minutes, twenty minutes, and Julian still had not made an appearance.
Milo became restive. He looked over his shoulder toward the lobby.
"Has he fallen asleep? I'd better give him a call, or we'll be waiting until he wakes up."
Milo went off to investigate. Presently he returned.
"Odd!
He's not in his room, nor in the lobby nor yet in the library. Where else could he be?"
"What of the gallery? Could he be looking over the pictures?"
"I looked there too."
"Surely he hasn't gone for a walk--unless he's far braver than I," said Wayness.
"Here he comes now," said Milo.
Wayness asked: "Julian, where have you been?"
"Here and there," said Julian airily. He wore a white suit with a red and blue blazon at the neck and a red sash at his waist.
Milo said: "I looked everywhere for you. Perhaps you'll reveal your hiding place?"
"No large affair, nothing to worry about," said Julian.
"Is it a secret?" asked Wayness.
"Of course not," said Julian curtly.
"If you must know, I went out to the stables to look over the situation for myself."
"You can't see much this time of night," said Glawen.
"The bunters are already in their stalls."
"I spoke for a few minutes with the Yips. I was curious to discover what they really thought of their jobs."
"And they told you?"
"We had a pleasant conversation," said Julian with dignity.
"When they learned I was LPF they opened up. The head groom's name is Orreduc Manilaw Rodenart, or something of that sort. He is a person of quick intelligence, and is surprisingly cheerful. The same applies
to the whole crew. I heard not a single surly word. I find their | equanimity remarkable." | "They're quite well paid," said Glawen.
"Although I suppose the | Oomphaw takes all their money." I "That's when you'd hear surly words from me," said Milo. 'j Julian ignored the remarks.
"Like myself, they hope for friendlier times. I truly believe that some sort of accommodation is possible, given goodwill in all quarters.
The LPF is willing to take the lead in this regard. I am sure that we could arrange this world for the benefit '| of everyone concerned." | "Under the leadership of the Peelers? Can we anticipate the anointment of Julian Bohost as Grand Oomphaw of Cadwal?"
| Julian paid him no heed.
"Surprisingly, Orreduc knew next to | nothing of the LPF. I explained our goals and mentioned my own place in the organization, and he was most impressed.
It was quite heartwarming."
Wayness had become bored and was happy to discover a distraction. She pointed into the sky, where dusk still lingered.
"What in the world is that thing?"
Glawen looked up.
"You are looking at a Mad Mountain night whisk It's headed for that cardamom tree yonder."
"It looks like a big bundle of black fluff. Doesn't it have wings?"
