Allarde was about to step forward when Tory raised her hand to halt him. She moved up to the door and placed her hand over the keyhole. Then she guided her magic into the components of the lock, puzzling out how the mechanism worked. Ah, there. A quick, sharp effort moved the latch and unlocked the door.

She stepped back and waved Nick in first. He opened the door and stepped inside. The small, spare room contained a narrow cot that held a sprawled sleeper.

Nick increased the power of his light. "Dr. Weiss?" he asked in a quiet, unthreatening voice.

The sleeping figure rolled over and sat up. Speaking in weary French, he said, "Have you come to drag me from bed and execute me for insufficient progress, mon colonel?"

Allarde said in French, "Not at all. We're here to rescue you, Dr. Weiss."

In the brighter light, Tory saw that the scientist was a lean man in his forties with dark hair and haunted gray eyes. The room itself was stark as a cell. Besides the bed, there was a battered metal desk covered with books and paper and a door that must lead to a closet or washroom. The high, narrow window was covered with a heavy curtain.

As the scientist blinked in confusion, Allarde asked, "Do you speak English?"

"Yes, and also German, Russian, and Greek," Dr. Weiss said tartly in fluent, French-accented English. "Which you should know since you're figments of my imagination." He pulled a pair of spectacles from his desk and slid them on. Frowning, he added, "Wet and very young figments of my imagination."

He removed the spectacles and lay back on the bed, pulling the blankets over him. In French, he muttered, "Fairly benign as nightmares go."

Thinking a female voice might be more soothing, Tory stepped forward and laid a hand on his shoulder. "We're not figments of your imagination, Dr. Weiss," she said, speaking in English so Nick could understand. "We came here at considerable risk to take you to England where you can continue your research without having to worry about being shot in the middle of the night."

Dr. Weiss stared at her hand, then reached for his spectacles again. "You certainly feel real, but you look younger than my daughter! Have the British started sending children to war?" His gaze moved to the door. "If you're real, how did you get in here? I heard the click when they locked me in for the night."

The three mages exchanged a glance. "Allarde, you explain," Nick said. "You have more gravitas."

The scientist smiled. "Gravitas? You're well-educated children, but you boys don't look much older than she is. Is this some kind of bizarre joke?"

"It's no joke, sir," Allarde said.

Tory noted that Nick was right: Allarde had gravitas, which gave him the best chance of convincing the scientist that they were serious. Persuasion needed to be quick, because she was itchily aware that the lights could come on again at any time.

Allarde continued, "The three of us have magical powers. I understand how difficult this is to believe, especially for a scientist. But there have always been people with magic, and we can prove we have it." He snapped his fingers. Another globe of mage light appeared. He tossed it into the air and it hovered above them.

Dr. Weiss stared at the light. "That ... that has to be some kind of secret British scientific discovery. Just a different type of torch."

Which was exactly what Nick said when Tory first met him. Impatient and very aware of time passing, Tory used the same proof she'd used on Nick: She floated up to the ceiling.

"You can't explain this away, Dr. Weiss," she said briskly. "Nick used magic to call down lightning to destroy the power pole, I used magic to float us over the barbed-wire fences, and Allarde used magic to unlock the laboratory door."

Seeing the scientist's baffled expression, Nick said soothingly, "You don't have to believe that magic is real, sir. Just trust us to get you out of here safely. You can argue about whether it's really magic when we're a safe distance away."

Dr. Weiss ran trembling fingers through his unkempt hair, then swung from the bed and passed his hand through the air under Tory. Allarde obligingly floated his mage light higher so it was clear that no wires supported her.

The scientist tried the light switch. The electricity was still out, which might be considered proof of their claims.

Turning to face the Irregulars, Dr. Weiss said, "The two logical hypotheses are that you have magical abilities, or I am mad. I rather think it's madness."

"You're not mad, sir," Nick said. "We are not here as official Allied agents. My father works in British intelligence. I learned of your work when a scientist from Oxford, Dr. Florey, pleaded for my father's agency to rescue you. He said he needed you for his research."

"Howard Florey did that for me?" Dr. Weiss said, surprised. "We have met at scientific meetings and he said he would like to work with me someday, but I didn't realize he was this serious."

"He's very serious, but he was refused because British intelligence consider rescue impossible." Nick hesitated as if wondering how to explain this rescue attempt. "I had a very strong intuition that your work was vital, and that with magic I could bring you safely out of France. So I collected some friends and here we are."

"But we must leave as soon as possible." Allarde's face showed tension. "We don't know how long the lights will be off. When electricity is restored, escape will be far more hazardous."

"Assuming I'm not mad," Dr. Weiss said flatly, "I would like nothing better than to leave this damnable place. But I can't go with you."

CHAPTER 24.

The scientist's words silenced Tory and the others until Nick exclaimed, "Sir, why can't you come with us? Surely you don't want to work for Hitler!"

Dr. Weiss spat on the floor. "I wish him to die an ugly, painful death. But my wife and children are held captive in the castle above. They are-how you say?-hostages for my cooperation. If I am not here in the morning, Colonel Heinrich, the truly evil commandant of this installation, will see them dead by noon. I cannot leave."

Nick caught his breath, his expression startled. Something about the scientist's words struck an intuitive chord, Tory suspected.

But it was Allarde who spoke. "The Sword of Damocles hangs over your head," he said gravely. "But surely you know there is a terrible likelihood that if you stay, all of you will die. Wouldn't your wife and children want at least you to escape?"

The scientist's face twisted in agony. "Perhaps they would. But I would never be able to sleep again for visualizing them being dragged screaming into the castle courtyard and being shot. Or ... or worse."

"Then we shall have to rescue them at the same time as you," Nick said.

Tory gaped at him. "Nick, you've seen the castle! Even magic can't get us up that cliff and back with Dr. Weiss's family! Not with Nazi soldiers all around us."

"I can try. I may succeed." Nick's gaze met that of the scientist. "I will be back for you, Dr. Weiss, and on the same night I will also rescue your family. I swear it."

The scientist sighed, his face haggard. "You are a brave young man, or I am mad. Once again, I incline to believe it's madness. I shall not expect to see you again. If you are real ... do not risk your life or that of your friends on me. Nothing can be done."

"Perhaps not," Nick said stubbornly. "But if we do return, how large is your family? How many children?"

"My wife, Sarah. My daughter, Rebecca, who is fifteen. My son, Joel, is eleven." Dr. Weiss sighed. "One reason my work goes slowly is because my wife was my research partner. Her training is the same as mine, she is as good a scientist as I. But the colonel refused to believe a woman could be equal and necessary to my work."

"Then he's a fool," Nick said. "You may doubt that I'm real or that I can do what I say, Dr. Weiss. But just in case, be ready. If you have notes or personal possessions, keep them close. Just in case."

"Almost you convince me," the scientist said sadly. "I have no hope for myself, and my family's situation is even worse than mine. But I wish you brave young people Godspeed. Leave now and save yourselves." He gave a twisted smile. "If you are real."

"I am real." Nick offered his hand.

Dr. Weiss returned Nick's firm handshake. "Indeed you feel substantial. Go now, and swiftly."

"He's right," Allarde said, his voice sharp. "We must move." He opened the door and peered out. Seeing the way clear, he beckoned to his companions. Catching his urgency, Tory darted through, closely followed by Nick.

Allarde took a moment to lock the door behind them, then set off swiftly down the corridor. "My foretelling sense says we're cutting this very close," he said in a nearly inaudible voice. "The sooner we get out of here, the better."

They hurried to the entrance as quickly as they could while making minimal noise. Again Allarde checked for danger outside before they left the building. As he locked the laboratory door behind them, the rumble of a motorcar sounded nearby. The compound might be dark, but there was activity.

Tory stepped out into the rain and caught Nick's hand. "Everyone ready?"

Allarde took Nick's other hand. "Ready!"

"I'm looking forward to flying again." Nick's voice was jaunty, but his hand clamped tight on Tory's.

She closed her eyes and cleared her mind to find the stillness needed for her floating magic. Power shared among them, take it slowly, visualize rising in the air ...

Click!

As they began to lift, lights blazed on through the compound. Allarde swore under his breath and poured more lifting magic into the link. The rush of power helped Tory speed up their flight.

Over the laboratory fence. Over the bare ground between fences.

They were soaring over the barbed wire when the glaring beam of a spotlight slashed over them. Its brilliance almost blinded Tory. A guttural shout rose, followed by the ear-piercing rat-a-tat-tat of a machine gun.

As bullets whizzed by, Tory swooped them down into the shrubbery so fast they risked sprained ankles. As soon as everyone was on solid ground, they bolted into the woods. Tory prayed she wouldn't run into a tree or step into a rabbit hole.

No shots followed them. After they'd run perhaps a quarter mile, Tory gasped, "Enough! I need to rest." She leaned back against a wet tree trunk, not daring to sit because she'd have difficulty getting up again. "I think we got away safely."

"I doubt anyone saw us clearly," Allarde halted, breathing hard. "And if someone did, he probably didn't believe what he saw. The machine-gun fire likely came from someone who thought we were a pair of geese flying into the woods so he shot after us on general principles."

"Three geese, not two," Nick panted. "Unless you consider Tory gosling size."

As Allarde chuckled, Tory said sternly, "You'll pay for that, Nicholas Rainford!"

"Yes, my lady," he said with exaggerated deference. "But not just yet."

Allarde glanced skyward. "Nick, can you guide us back to the cave before daylight? The rain is clearing and it won't be long before the sky lightens."

"We should just make it." Nick set a brisk pace up the hill in the direction they'd come from. Tory followed, Allarde bringing up the rear.

As Allarde had predicted, the rain clouds moved on and the sky was lightening fast. Better visibility helped with their footing but made Tory feel vulnerable as they made their way along twisting lanes and minor roads.

Though they avoided farmhouses, once a farmer driving a horse-drawn wagon passed them coming from the other direction. He looked at them curiously, but only nodded when Allarde greeted him in French.

Later they had to move off the lane while a shepherd passed with a flock of sheep. The countryside was getting busy.

Tory was relieved to enter the woods at the foot of the hill that concealed the cave. As she trudged doggedly along behind Nick, she prayed she'd be able to make the last stretch without dropping in her tracks.

She squeaked when Allarde's arms came around her. "You look ready to collapse," he said as he swept her from her feet. "You've had a stiff hike as well as burning a large amount of power getting us in and out of the laboratory."

After an instant of shock, she tried to struggle free. "You shouldn't have to carry me!" she protested. "You burned a lot of power, too."

"You hardly weigh more than a sparrow." He smiled with intimate mischievousness. "Or a gosling. Relax and enjoy the ride." He resumed his uphill climb, moving faster now that he wasn't matching her pace.

Surrendering, she closed her eyes and relaxed against him, her muscles shaking from fatigue. His warmth and strength were so familiar, so painfully welcome. When her forehead rested against his cheek, she felt a tingle of whiskers against her skin. The sensation was startlingly sensual.

She bit her lip. How fortunate there was still enough rain dripping from the trees to disguise any vagrant tears.

They reached the cave just as the sun came over the horizon, splashing the top of the hill with golden autumn light. Allarde set Tory down just inside the entrance.

"Thank you," she said as she forced herself to let go of his arm. "I'm sorry you had to carry me, but I'm just not as strong and fast as the two of you."

She thought Allarde murmured, "I'll always carry you if you need me, Tory."

His words were drowned out by Nick saying, "Pound for pound, you're probably stronger than either of us, Tory. You just don't have many pounds."

"More pounds than a gosling!" She gave him a withering glare, then sat down against the wall and wrapped her tattered blanket around herself. The blanket offered warmth, but didn't do much to soften the hardness.

Allarde and Nick also retrieved their blankets and settled down in the cave's antechamber. The space was about six feet wide and not much more than that high. Allarde had to be careful not to knock his head on lower sections of the ceiling. He sat a couple of feet to Tory's right while Nick sat opposite, next to their small store of food.

Not exactly luxury quarters, but there was enough natural light so mage lights weren't needed. Tory was so drained that even that much magic would be too much.

"We all burned a lot of power." Nick produced his folding knife and opened the paper-wrapped chunk of cheese. "We're lucky your shopkeeper was so generous, Allarde." He cut slices of cheese and bread and passed them across the cave.

Tory wolfed down the remaining food with a haste that would have shocked her mother. The others were equally ravenous. The wine had been finished off the night before, but Allarde had refilled the bottle with clear spring water from a pool farther back in the cave. Tory tried not to think about how lovely hot tea would taste.

With hunger slaked, she felt much stronger. Ready to think about the future. "Nick, I'm sure you haven't given up hope of rescuing Dr. Weiss."

He smiled ruefully. "It was disappointing to make heroic efforts, use masses of magic, find our man, and then have him refuse to leave. But yes, I do have another plan."

"We'll have to perform two rescues the same night, and the castle would be much, much harder to enter and escape. Particularly with three people," Allarde remarked.

"A pity there are no true invisibility spells," Tory said wistfully.

"My plan is mostly nonmagical, actually." Nick cleaned his knife on the paper that wrapped the cheese, then tucked it away. "Remember that Jack mentioned Castle Bouchard having hidden tunnels? If we can find one, that might overcome the chief difficulty. If we can get up to the castle without being seen, magic should make it possible to do the rest."

"Is it even possible that a tunnel runs all the way from the bottom of the escarpment up to the castle?" Tory asked.

Allarde nodded. "There are castles in England that have medieval tunnels like that. Nottingham Castle has a famous tunnel called Mortimer's Hole."

"If Castle Bouchard has a similar passage, we could enter that way rather than risk flying so far, and we could save our magic for other things," Tory agreed. "But if there's a well-known tunnel, it might be guarded. And if it isn't well-known, that could mean it has collapsed since our time."

"Can your finder talent locate the tunnel so we could see if it would suit our purposes?" Allarde asked.

Nick hesitated. "That would take time. I'm better with finding people. As soon as Dr. Weiss said his family was in the castle, I knew exactly where they were. I could go right to them. But I don't have any sense of a tunnel."

"When he mentioned his family, I saw your face change. Was that because you knew where to find them?" Tory asked.

Nick nodded. "In my mind, there's a glowing light that shows where they are. It was the same with Dr. Weiss. As soon as he mentioned his family, I realized they're an essential part of this intuition that has me by the throat. I must free them all."

"If his wife is his research partner, I can see why." Allarde's voice became brisk. "We have the start of a plan. Now we must make it more specific. I hope the three of us have enough weather magic to get inside the camp again. Nick, will they be able to repair the pole so that lightning can't destroy it in the future?"

"They might install a big lightning rod that would ground the energy so the pole wouldn't be damaged. In that case, we could hit the generator shed nearby and take out the generator itself. That would give us more time."

"We'll need a real weather mage like Jack, though," Tory said. "We're not likely to get another such storm at exactly the right time."

"A good thing Jack volunteered to help," Nick said.