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just crawl under here—it should give us enough protection.”
    She sounded so happy that for a moment Alistair felt happy too: they might be tired, hungry, and lost in a blizzard somewhere in the Crankens, but at least they were safe—for now.

6

    The Sourian Orphans
    Y ou can’t be serious,” Ebenezer said.
    Tobias looked grave. “Desperate times call for desperate measures,” he said. “In the current climate it’s become almost impossible to infiltrate the palace. The Sourians have grown increasingly strict about security—which is one more reason why we believe they’re up to something. But they’ll be less likely to suspect children of being spies. That’s where Alex and Alice come in.”
    â€œI don’t know,” said Ebenezer doubtfully.
    Alice, who had kept quiet until now, spoke up for the first time. “Do you really think we would be useful?” she asked Tobias.
    The marmalade mouse gazed at her steadily. “Your presence in the palace would be invaluable,” he said. “We have had serious problems with intelligence-gathering since the Sourians tightened security. This could beour one chance to slip beneath the radar.” He looked at Ebenezer. “Believe me,” he said, “if there was another option, we’d take it. And I would never even have contemplated the idea if the stakes weren’t so high.”
    â€œIf it’s that important,” Alice said, turning to meet the eyes first of her brother, then of her aunt and uncle, “I say we should do it.” Even as she said the words, she felt a tremor of fear in the pit of her stomach, but she tried to keep her expression businesslike and determined. Alex, too, looked uncommonly solemn.
    Uncle Ebenezer swallowed once, then said in a pained but resigned voice, “I can see I’m outnumbered here. But please”—he fixed Tobias with an appealing look—“please do everything you can to keep them safe.”
    â€œI will,” Tobias promised. “Now, while I’ve got you two here,” he said, turning his attention to Beezer and Ebenezer, “I’d like to discuss your own assignments.” He rifled through his stack of folders once more. “Beezer,” he said, consulting one, “you’re a math professor, as I recall.”
    â€œThat’s right,” said Beezer.
    â€œExcellent. I’m hoping you might agree to become one of our codebreakers. We haven’t put much effort into codebreaking to date, but we’re putting together a team under the leadership of Celestine.”
    â€œCelestine is here? I’d be honored to work with her!” Beezer exclaimed. “She’s a professor of logic at the University of Grouch, in Souris,” she explained to Alice and Alex. “Her work is amazing.”
    â€œGood,” said Tobias with a satisfied nod. “In thatcase, please report to room 3A tomorrow at nine a.m. Ebenezer . . .” The marmalade mouse pulled a third file from the stack. “Ah yes. Serena, who’s been in charge of the kitchen for the last few weeks, has to return to her restaurant in Shudders. I remember that you trained as a chef. Would you take over from Serena?”
    â€œOf course,” Ebenezer replied.
    â€œExcellent,” said Tobias. “That’s settled then.” He raised his voice to call, “Flanagan?”
    The dark gray mouse opened the door so promptly that Alice suspected he must have been standing with his ear pressed to it.
    â€œAh, Flanagan. Can you tell Solomon Honker to report to room 2B in ten minutes? He’ll know what it’s about.” Tobias turned back to the four mice in front of him. “Alice and Alex, Solomon is in charge of your mission. And to begin with, he is going to help you to construct your new identities. You’re to meet him in room 2B in ten minutes sharp. Anymore questions?”
    Alice had a