Longclaw sounds an alarm, and Peter, Peg, Simon, and Sir Tode scramble back to the tunnels. When they reach the cave, Lillian and the children are missing, their supplies are destroyed, and the place reeks of ape. With the tunnels crawling with the king’s guards, Peter suggests they hide aboveground, in the clock tower belfry.

In the belfry, they examine the captured documents—maps of the Vanished Kingdom and of kingdoms far away. Sir Tode confirms the king’s plans: to drill through to the ocean and besiege other kingdoms with his fleet of warships. Peter fears that even his old port town may fall prey to Incarnadine’s assault. To make matters worse, when the clockwork beast breaks through the rock wall, the cave will flood, drowning all the children in the mine. Despite Peg’s encouragement, Peter despairs of freeing so many children in the short time they have left. Her gentle cajoling becomes a royal command when Peter insists the quest is impossible. A bitter argument erupts, Peter feeling helpless and Peg unwilling to abandon the children to death. The fight turns physical, both children rolling on the floor of the belfry until Peg grabs the box of magical eyes and whacks Peter over the head, knocking him unconscious.