“Midnight!” Biff sat up in astonishment. He couldn’t believe it. “But what about supper? Did I sleep right through it?”
“No one brought anything tonight. Don’t know why.” Charles Keene picked up the kerosene lamp which gave the room its only light, and blew it out. “If anything is going to happen, it would be better if the guards thought we were asleep.”
They waited in the darkness. There was no conversation. But the tension in the room was so strong, it seemed as though you could touch it like a physical thing. Biff knew he could feel it.
Biff’s hopes went high and low like a playground swing. Suddenly his ears caught a strange noise. It came from the far end of the corridor through which Biff and Chuba had been led to Ping Lu.
The noise grew louder. Shouts were heard. Running feet could be heard in the corridor. Biff sprang to the barred window of the door. He peered into the dimly lighted hall. The guard was gone. Now the cries became louder.
“Chuba! Can you make out what’s being said?”
Chuba came to the door. He put his head close to the bars.
“Fire! Much shoutings of fire. Fire in kitchen!”
In the kitchen. Where the grandson served as a cook. This must be it!
Moments passed. Heavy footsteps were heard in the hall. Biff, his uncle, and Chuba crowded toward the door. Only the Ancient One remained where he was, seated on the far wall bench. He sat quietly, waiting.