it is strange being in a town again , i 'm thinking , as i cast my eyes about . i stared at him for a brief second , and then i pulled my arm free of his grasp . somehow i did n't think tea was going to help in this situation . i watched as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring . a great dome of light stands over the whole garden . everybody appeared to understand what was going on . his cards certainly did n't indicate any mechanism -- it was a poor hand at best . 