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but the pilot wasnt satisfied； the wind was swept into eddies and cross…gusts by the edges of the mountain。 besides； the cables； the pylons； the transformers were too close： to be swept in among them； with a zeppelin full of inflammable gas； would be instantly fatal。 sleet drummed slantwise at the great rigid envelope of the craft； making a noise that almost drowned the clatter and howl of the straining engines； and obscuring the view of the ground。
〃not here；〃 the pilot shouted over the noise。 〃well go around the spur。〃
father macphail watched fiercely as the pilot moved the throttle forward and adjusted the trim of the engines。 the zeppelin rose with a lurch and moved over the rim of the mountain。 those legs of light suddenly lengthened and seemed to feel their way down the ridge； their lower ends lost in the whirl of sleet and rain。
〃you cant get closer to the station than this？〃 said the president； leaning forward to let his voice carry to the pilot。
〃not if you want to land；〃 the pilot said。
〃yes； we want to land。 very well； put us down below the ridge。〃
the pilot gave orders for the crew to prepare to moor。 since the equipment they were going to unload was heavy as well as delicate； it was important to make the craft secure。 the president settled back； tapping his fingers on the arm of his seat； gnawing his lip； but saying nothing and letting the pilot work unflustered。
from his hiding place in the transverse bulkheads at the rear of the cabin； lord roke watched。 several times during the flight his little shadowy form had passed along behind the metal mesh； clearly visible to anyone who might have looked； if only they had turned their heads； but in order to hear what was happening； he had to e to a place where they could see him。 the risk was unavoidable。
he edged forward； listening hard through the roar of the engines； the thunder of the hail and sleet； the high…pitched singing of the wind in the wires； and the clatter of booted feet on metal walkways。 the flight engineer called some figures to the pilot； who confirmed them； and lord roke sank back into the shadows； holding tight to the struts and beams as the airship plunged and tilted。
finally； sensing from the movement that the craft was nearly anchored； he made his way back through the skin of the cabin to the seats on the starboard side。
there were men passing through in both directions： crew members； technicians； priests。 many of their daemons were dogs； brimming with curiosity。 on the other side of the aisle； mrs。 coulter sat awake and silent； her golden daemon watching everything from her lap and exuding malice。
lord roke waited for the chance and then darted across to mrs。 coulters seat； and was up in the shadow of her shoulder in a moment。
〃what are they doing？〃 she murmured。
〃landing。 were near the generating station。〃
〃are you going to stay with me； or work on your own？〃 she whispered。
〃ill stay with you。 ill have to hide under your coat。〃
she was wearing a heavy sheepskin coat； unfortably hot in the heated cabin； but with her hands manacled she couldnt take it off。
〃go on； now；〃 she said； looking around； and he darted inside the breast； finding a fur…lined pocket where he could sit securely。 the golden monkey tucked mrs。 coulters silk collar inside solicitously； for all the world like a fastidious couturier attending to his favorite model； while all the time making sure that lord roke was pletely hidden in the folds of the coat。
he was just in time。 not a minute later a soldier armed with a rifle came to order mrs。 coulter out of the airship。
〃must i have these handcuffs on？〃 she said。
〃i havent been told to remove them；〃 he replied。 〃on your feet； please。〃
〃but its hard to move if i cant hold on to things。 im stiff； ive been sitting here for the best part of a day without moving； and you know i havent got any weapons； because you searched me。 go and ask the president if its really necessary to manacle me。 am i going to try and run away in this wilderness？〃
lord roke was impervious to her charm； but interested in its effect on others。 the guard was a young man； they should have sent a grizzled old warrior。
〃well；〃 said the guard； 〃im sure you wont； maam； but i cant do what i ent been ordered to do。 you see that； im sure。 please stand up； maam； and if you stumble； ill catch hold of your arm。〃
she stood up； and lord roke felt her move clumsily forward。 she was the most graceful human the gallivespian had ever seen； this clumsiness was feigned。 as they reached the head of the gangway； lord roke felt her stumble and cry out in alarm； and felt the jar as the guards arm caught her。 he heard the change in the sounds around them； too； the howl of the wind； the engines turning over steadily to generate power for the lights； voices from somewhere nearby giving orders。
they moved down the gangway； mrs。 coulter leaning heavily on the guard。 she was speaking softly； and lord roke could just make out his reply。
〃the sergeant； maam； over there by the large crate； hes got the keys。 but i darent ask him； maam； im sorry。〃
〃oh well；〃 she said with a pretty sigh of regret。 〃thank you anyway。〃
lord roke heard booted feet moving away over rock； and then she whispered： 〃you heard about the keys？〃
〃tell me where the sergeant is。 i need to know where and how far。〃
〃about ten of my paces away。 to the right。 a big man。 i can see the keys in a bunch at his waist。〃
〃no good unless i know which one。 did you see them lock the manacles？〃
〃yes。 a short； stubby key with black tape wound around it。〃
lord roke climbed down hand over hand in the thick fleece of her coat； until he reached the hem at the level of her knees。 there he clung and looked around。
they had rigged a floodlight； which made the wet rocks glisten brilliantly。 but as he looked down； casting around for shadows； he saw the glare begin to swing sideways in a gust of wind。 he heard a shout； and the light went out abruptly。
he dropped to the ground at once and sprang through the dashing sleet toward the sergeant； who had lurched forward to try and catch the falling floodlight。
in the confusion lord roke leapt at the big