Reynie’s only idea to foil Mr. Curtain’s plan is to disable the Whisperer, but he does not know how to do that. Thinking there must be some way to access the computers, Kate volunteers to search for a possible entryway. She asks Sticky to tell her how to get through the secret entrance.

Sticky finds himself wanting to lie, to protect the Whisperer. He must force himself to tell Kate the directions. Reynie wants to go with Kate, but she says that it is not necessary. Reynie finds himself too weary to argue.

Constance promises they will find a way to save Kate if she is caught, which surprises and touches Kate. The girls leave and the boys go to bed, afraid to admit how much the Whisperer has affected them.

Reynie mentally composes a letter to Miss Perumal, telling her that the Whisperer’s illusion of happiness is too strong to resist. He fears that he is not the person he believed he was. Reynie is ready to give up, so he sends a Morse code message to Mr. Benedict, asking for advice. There is no answer, and Reynie wonders if Mr.