Chapter 24
The Coral RealmTHE NEXT DAY I woke up with my head unusually clear. Much to my
surprise, I was in my stateroom. No doubt my companions had been
put back in their cabin without noticing it any more than I had.
Like me, they would have no idea what took place during the night,
and to unravel this mystery I could count only on some future
happenstance.
I then considered leaving my stateroom. Was I free or still a
prisoner? Perfectly free. I opened my door, headed down the
gangways, and climbed the central companionway. Hatches that had
been closed the day before were now open. I arrived on the
platform.
Ned Land and Conseil were there waiting for me. I questioned
them. They knew nothing. Lost in a heavy sleep of which they had no
memory, they were quite startled to be
