Summary

At the outset of Chapter Ten, “Surprise Party,” Strangman pays Kerans a visit at The Ritz and invites him to a dinner party. Kerans, who has been avoiding company since the diving incident, responds tepidly, but Strangman eventually manages to persuade him.

Strangman treats the trio of researchers to an elaborate meal, fine wine, and a fireworks show, making overtures to Beatrice (who rebuffs them) throughout. Finally, when Kerans notes that he is growing impatient for the surprise that Strangman has promised, Strangman implores him to look over the side of the ship. When Kerans does, he discovers the water level rapidly depleting. Soon, they find themselves at the basin of the lagoon, surrounded by the barnacled wrecks of the former city square. Strangman explains that he and his men have been able to seal off the lagoon using some of the natural...