"If it's from Alice," said George, "that means that she's an unwilling guest here as well as my parents." "that's right," said Julian, "and it seems that we've now got to find and rescue three people instead of just two." "Very Trinitarian," muttered Dick, scratching an oddly reluctant itch in his groin. "Stop that!" said Julian, noticing where his brother had his left hand. Anne glanced at Dick and then swiftly looked away, hoping her elder brother would change the subject. Julian did just that. "From what you've said, everything seems to be happening down in the main hall. I think we'd better get down there and see what's up." Dick was about to explain what was up when he realised that Julian had changed the subject.

The four children and Timmy crept cautiously back into the long corridor and made their way to the stairs. From below they could hear the rhythmic sound of soft chanting, thought the words were indistinct. Signalling the others to be quiet, Julian was about to start down the stairs when George reached out and caught his arm. He stopped and looked at her. Without speaking his cousin waved her hands and indicated for the group to follow her. Raising a quizzical eyebrow in the manner that always made "Blowtorch" Simpkins, the chemistry master at school break into a grin, Julian followed her and the others back down the corridor. George stooped next to a small hatch in the wall and pointed at the door. "The stairs aren't safe," she whispered. "They lead right into the main area where everyone's gathered. Let's use this instead." and sliding up the door the others realised what she was suggesting. Julian poked his head through the opening and inspected the interior of the food lift. "It looks okay," he said, "but it will only take one of us at a time." "Where does it go?" asked Anne, who hurriedly decided not to let on that she was slightly claustrophobic. It was a secret she'd kept to herself ever since their adventure at Smuggler's Top, and she wasn't going to let it out now. "It'll run down to the kitchens, I bet," said Dick, pushing Timmy's wet nose away from his right thigh. "It must do," said George. "I saw this when we were looking for you, Ju. If we go down to the kitchens which are in the basement, we should be able to creep up to the hall from underneath. They won't expect anyone to be down there, especially since they think they've got you locked up here." Julian nodded his head in agreement. "Okay then," he said, "let's get started. I'll go first."

Julian levered himself through the hatchway and crouched inside the paneled box that held the faint aroma of smoked salmon and watercress. Nodding to Dick, his brother slid down the outer door and pressed the button on the wall. With a slight jolt and the faint whir of a far-away electric motor, Julian felt the lift begin its descent. Thirty seconds later the lift bumped to a halt and he cautiously raised the door. The kitchen was empty, and with a wiggle he was out of the confines of the box and standing on the tiled floor. He pressed the green button on the wall for the second floor and the lift quietly began its journey upwards again.

A few minutes later the children and Timmy were all standing in the kitchen, Anne perspiring and slightly hyper-ventilating. George and Timmy had found it a short but uncomfortable journey, and George knew that in the morning she would have several red marks at the top of her legs where Timmy's claws had scraped. She was grateful it was a couple of weeks until they went back to school, for she doubted if the other girls in her year would believe the explanation.

Julian raised a finger and pointed at the ceiling. The children looked upwards and listened. Filtering down to them through the thick shag-pile carpet and floorboards came the same faint sound of chanting, thought this time some of the words were clearer. "What does "Ubi" mean?" asked Anne, straining. "I've got an inkling," said Dick. "Control yourself," said George. "No," said Dick, "I mean I think I know what it is they're saying, but we need to get closer for me to be sure." "Come on then," said Julian, "let's see if we can."

The children crossed the kitchen and opened the door that already stood ajar. Outside there was a short hallway and then a flight of uncarpeted stairs leading upwards. Moving quietly, and with only the faint click from Timmy's toenails on the linoleum, the children began to ascend the stairs. The flight curved slightly to the left, and as they came towards the top Julian motioned for everyone to crouch down. Creeping forward he peered over the top riser and across the entrance hall floor. At the far side the great double doors to the Salon stood open, and inside he could see lots of people seated at long refectory tables. None were looking in their direction, their attention seemingly focused on part of the room which wasn't visible to him. Julian looked back at the others. "Come on," he said. "If we're careful we can get closer without being seen." Motioning for them to keep low, Julian moved across the hall and crouched outside the Salon doorway. The others followed one by one, George beckoning Timmy across to join them as they huddled together against the flock wallpaper and hidden from the sight of the robed adults the other side of an empire-style bureau. The chanting was now loud and clear, and Dick looked at the others. "I was right," he whispered. "I do know what it is they're saying." Anne looked at her brother. "What is it?" she asked. "Don't you remember that CD that Uncle Quentin gave me last Christmas?" said Dick. "What, the one you threw away as soon as we got home?" asked Anne. "Yes," said Dick. "That's the one." "I never heard it," said Anne. "I remember you didn't like it, but you never played it for me." "What was it, Dick?" asked George, holding Timmy's muzzle in an attempt to stop him licking her face. "It was called "Suppertime" and it was an album by the Sarum Tabernacle Singers, recorded in 1983." "I remember," said Julian. "There was one song that they kept on repeating through the album. What was it?" "Our God reigns" said Dick. It was so bad that that was the reason I ditched the disc." "So what?" asked George. "What's the connection?" Dick looked at his cousin. "The title song, "Suppertime". "Wasn't that from the show "Porgy and Bess?" asled Anne. "No, sis," said Dick, "that was "Summertime" you clot!" "What about "Suppertime" then," asked George. "Why is that significant?" "It was a Grace to be sung in parts," explained Dick, the strange melody running once more through his memory like a bad enema. "It was a translation of "Ubi caritas", a Latin chorus." At this the children looked at each other with widening eyes as the chanting words seemed to burst once more upon their consciousness. "Ubi caritas et amor. Ubi caritas, deus ibi est." "It's the same words!" exclaimed Anne, with a squeal. "And I know what it means!" said Julian, rising to his feet. Come on, we've got very little time!" and without another word he strode around the corner of the cabinet and walked into the Salon. The other children looked at each other for a few brief seconds and then got up. Without a word, they ran in the opposite direction and hurtled down the stairs towards the kitchen. "Stupid bugger!" exclaimed Dick as they barged through the door and came to a halt against the stainless steel table on which stood an urn of steaming meatballs in brown gravy. "What the hell does he think he's doing?"

For what seemed like an age, but which in reality was less than 10 seconds, Julian stood unnoticed in the room, but then one of the suited figures turned and looked at the intruder. His mouth opened and from his lips there came a sound that chilled Julian to the bone. "Bloody Catholic!" The chanting immediately ceased and all eyes turned to look at the boy. "That's torn it," thought Julian to himself, "but there's no other way," and taking a deep breath he walked down between the tables towards the figures at the far end of the room who had by now risen to their feet.