I got to the end of the tunnel, reckoning that I was about 4000 feet from the building. I slowly poked my head out of the end of the tunnel, with my night-vision glasses on; there were many heat signatures in the dark. And... THERE... someone moving through the wild lands behind the house, heading this way! I'm not sure if they can see me, but I use natural cover to move away from them anyway.

Using the map I drew, I find my way back to the cave I had discovered the day before, careful to watch for traps. And sure enough, there is a tripwire there, as well as a very faint glow of an infra-red light. I step carefully past the trap, and enter the cave. Shining my torch around the cave, I see my footprints from the day before have been partly erased! Hmm... someone has been here. Two of the stone cairns have been disturbed, but the third, far to the rear of the cave, is undisturbed. Staying close to the wall, I avoid yet another trap and finally get to the pile of stones. Moving one rock at a time and with senses as sharp as I can make them, I remove the rocks.

I don't know what I expected, maybe the keyhole to the vault holding the chalice? What I find is rather anti-climactic, however; just a cache of tinned foods and a blow-dart tube with a pile of darts. A quick idea hits me, and I carefully apply one of my father's potions to each of the darts from point to bottom; they will affect the user and the victim.

Working my way around the hills along the shore, I find the area I had earmarked as a possible hidey-hole; it is undisturbed since I was last there. I set my wristwatch alarm for three hours, rig up some deadfalls, and lay down for a nap. My mind raced for a few minutes, worrying at what the next day would bring, but eventually let me sleep.