THE PALACE OF ORLOG
Engrossed with each other the Very Young Man and Aura sailed close up to the water-front of Orlog before they remembered their situation. It was the Very Young Man who first became aware of the danger. Without explanation he suddenly pulled Aura into the bottom of the boat, leaving it to flutter up into the wind unguided.
"They might see us from here," he said hurriedly. "We must decide what is best for us to do now."
They were then less than a quarter of a mile from the stone quay that marked the city's principal landing-place. Nearer to them was a broad, sandy beach behind which, in a long string along the lake shore, lay the city. Its houses were not unlike those of Arite, although most of them were rather smaller and less pretentious. On a rise of ground just beyond the beach, and nearly in front of them, stood an elaborate building that was Targo's palace.
"We daren't go much closer," the Very Young Man said. "They'd recognize us."
"You they would know for one of the strangers," said Aura. "But if I should steer and you were hidden no one would notice."
The Very Young Man realized a difficulty. "We've got to be very small when we go into the city."
"How small would you think?" asked Aura.
The Very Young Man held his hands about a foot apart. "You see, the trouble is, we must be small enough to get around without too much danger of being seen; but if we get too small it would be a terrible walk up there to Targo's palace."
"We cannot sail this boat if we are such a size," Aura declared. "Too large it would be for us to steer."