Krag appeared on the threshold of the door, bearing in his hand a
feebly glimmering lantern. A hat was on his head, and he looked
stern and forbidding. After scrutinising the two friends for a
moment or so, he strode into the room and thrust the lantern on the
table. Its light hardly served to illuminate the walls.

"You have got here, then, Maskull?"

"So it seems--but I shan't thank you for your hospitality, for it
has been conspicuous by its absence."

Krag ignored the remark. "Are you ready to start?"

"By all means--when you are. It is not so entertaining here."

Krag surveyed him critically. "I heard you stumbling about in the
tower. You couldn't get up, it seems."

"It looks like an obstacle, for Nightspore informs me that the start
takes place from the top."

"But your other doubts are all removed?"

"So far, Krag, that I now possess an open mind. I am quite willing
to see what you can do."

"Nothing more is asked.... But this tower business. You know that
until you are able to climb to the top you are unfit to stand the
gravitation of Tormance?"