They circled a small pond where a motionless boy strained toe-high on an extended board. And the day once again turned to night as they hurried past a shadowed cathedral.
When they were in sight of the scorched trees, Mr. Milton doubled up and screamed.
"Captain!"
Mr. Goeblin struck his forehead. "I told you, I told you we shouldn't have drunk that wine! Didn't I tell you?"
"It was the wine—and we all drank it. He did it, he poisoned us!"
"Follow me!" cried Mr. Greypoole, making a hurried gesture and breaking into a run. "Faster!"
They stumbled hypnotically through the park, over the Mandarin-bridges to the rock.
"Tell them, Captain, tell them to climb the ladder."
"Go on up, men."
"But we're poisoned, sir!"