That Hideous Strength

Ransom and the Stranger exchange words. MacPhee, who has been spoken to by the Stranger, falls asleep. The Stranger tells Ransom to inform his masters that he has arrived. When Ransom says that he is the master, the Stranger doesn’t believe him. The Stranger tells Ransom that anyone can learn Hebrew or Greek or Latin. Ransom says he will use another tongue, and ancient tongue, from Numinor. This gets the Stranger’s attention. Ransom then tells the Stranger that his masters are the Oyèresu, which startles the Stranger. He asks Ransom where he heard the name and, if he is of the College, why he dresses like a slave. Ransom replies that the Stranger is not dressed like a druid. Then the Stranger asks Ransom to answer three questions to prove he is the master of the house.

The first question involves the Sulva (the Moon), and why she is barren on one side. Ransom answers the question correctly, saying that those who live on the moon practice procreation with devilish arts. The second question is about the whereabouts of King Arthur’s ring, the answer to which Ransom also answers correctly. He says the ring is on the hand of the Pendragon, who is with Melchisedec and Moses.