To gain time Raphael asked rather weakly, ‘Are you the Giant Sorcerer?’
‘Yes,’ said the Sorcerer easily. ‘Mechanus is my name. These are my mechanicos.’ And he motioned to the other three.
‘Where,’ faltered Raphael, ‘is Cassie?’ He passed his tongue over his dry lips.
‘So you want to see Cassandra, eh?’ remarked the Sorcerer. ‘She is safe enough. You may go,’ he said, turning to his three mechanicos. ‘I don’t think Raphael will be so foolish as to try to escape.’
Cassandra is safe, thought Raphael. He could fly. He was about to run and jump as high as he could in the air when he heard the thrum of a motor overhead. Above him floated a cigar-shaped balloon around which an aeroplane flew in graceful circles. There would be no use in trying to escape by flight.
Well, thought Raphael, I shall go home with him and find out where Cassandra is hidden. The Sorcerer evidently did not mean to harm him. Raphael began to take heart.
‘Promise me that you won’t try to escape,’ said the Sorcerer. ‘I don’t want to tie you.’
‘I promise I won’t try to escape now,’ answered Raphael.
The Sorcerer beckoned to a white limousine driven by a mechanico which stood at the curb.
‘The Tower,’ said Mechanus when he and Raphael, aided by the footman, had climbed in.