Actually, Proteus stood in that precise spot in the real courtyard, with Window beside him. And Window could have seen into Josef’s room—he was staring in the right direction—as far as space alone is concerned. But instead he was concentrating on Proteus’ discovery.

“I’m sure of it,” Proteus said. “We were standing right here talking a while ago. Remember? Then we walked back to talk to more of your people. I was upset because you ‘saw’ that black girl, and you were trying to divert me, I think. Then we drifted back here. But that one tile! Earlier you were staring at it as you told me what you were ‘seeing,’ and it didn’t have that sign or symbol on it then. I’m positive.”

“It could have been a different tile,” Window said.

“But it wasn’t. I know it’s the same one. I kept staring at it because you were. And that mark wasn’t on it.”

“If you’re right, then someone had to do it while we were gone.”

“But look at it,” Proteus cried angrily. “Get down and see for yourself. That’s what’s so unbelievable. It isn’t a fresh mark. It’s old. It’s been there for ages, yet it wasn’t there a few moments ago.

Window knelt down, examining the tile. The blue fish with its lost tail sparkled even in the dim light, and a small symbol was clearly visible just above the fish’s eye. “You’re right. So it must have been there earlier, and we just overlooked it,” he said.

“But it’s almost dark now. It would have been easier to see when we were here before,” Proteus said impatiently. “You’re the one with all these abilities. Find out where the mark came from—”

Rising, Window smiled. “All of a sudden you sound like Story defending herself against your skepticism. I don’t remember seeing the mark earlier, either. But in this case, common sense tells us that we just missed seeing it for some reason—”

“Now I do know how Story felt,” Proteus said. “And I don’t like it. Maybe there’s no explanation, but I know you’re wrong and something about that symbol is important.”

Window said, “Either the mark was there and we didn’t see it, or it was put there while we were gone and in such a way that it appears old. The first explanation is certainly the more reasonable one.”

“I don’t care; it makes me uneasy,” Proteus said. “This arouses my curiosity more than any … demonstration of your abilities or Story’s just because it happened to me, I suppose. No matter what you tell me, I know the mark wasn’t there earlier. And I’m going to find out where it came from, one way or another.” Proteus straightened up, his voice ringing with such intensity that Window couldn’t help teasing him.