"So that's where some of the oatmeal went," Norah commented. "Made into paste."
"Sh!"
SK540 vanished through the hole. They waited, listening to incomprehensible sounds. Outside it had grown dark.
Then the leader emerged and stood to one side of the long line that pattered through the hole. The two humans stared, fascinated, as the line made straight for the back door and under it. SK540 stayed where he was.
"Will they go back to the lab?" Norah asked.
Philip shrugged.
"It doesn't matter. Some of them may ... I feel like a traitor."
"I don't. I feel like one of those people who hid escaped war prisoners in Europe."
When the rats were all gone, they turned to SK540. But without a glance at them he re-entered the hiding-place. In a minute he returned, herding two white rats before him. He stood still, obviously expectant.