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“I’ll do as you say,” he said, and the cage dropped with him swiftly.

A

The first Aranian, I presumed—and rightly—was one of the old learned members of the race. As he scuttled closer to the cowering Tipene, I saw that, amidst the bristles which covered his head and thorax, was a menore.

The three great spiders approached the ship warily, watching it constantly with huge, glittering eyes. A safe distance away they paused, and the old one fixed his attention on Tipene.

Evidently, what Tipene emanated caused the old fellow to become very angry; I could see his legs quivering, and his withered old mandibles fairly clattered.

“He says he won’t do it!” Tipene called up to me, excitedly. “Says we can’t reach them underground, and that they’ll kill their hostages if we try to harm them.”

“Ask him if there are any tunnels between the ship and the river,” I commanded. “We’ll demonstrate what we can do if he harms Inverness and Brady.”

The two were in silent communion for a moment, and Tipene looked up and shook his head.