The signal isn't subtle in the slightest. He'd nicked things off the various banquet tables earlier, supposing that they might come in handy. So now, he goes to the top of the stairwell and dumps them all out at once--cutlery and various odd-and-ends, which crash against the ground and continue to make noise as they fall down the stairs.

It isn't a very complicated plan, but then it doesn't need to be. The simplest solutions are best, after all.

It doesn't take long for the Avoxes and Peacekeepers to find them, and when they do he lifts both his hands immediately.

"It's rather dark around here, don't you agree?" he asks. "I've gotten quite lost."