There was a sound of quick question and answer and of men running.

The curtain was snatched back and Ostrog reappeared, his massive face glowing with excitement.

He crossed the room in a stride, clicked the room into darkness, gripped Graham's arm and pointed to the mirror.
"Even as we turned away," he said.
Graham saw his index finger, black and colossal, above the mirrored Council House.

For a moment he did not understand.

And then he perceived that the flagstaff that had carried the white banner was bare.
"Do you mean-- ?" he began.
"The Council has surrendered.