Do not enter, he cried, until the five xats are up.
So sudden, so unexpected was myattack that there was no defense.
Then an expressionthat was part hope and part
relief came to his eyes.
I grasped her firmly by the harness where the
strapscrossed upon her back. This time I heard a response from the interior of the
room. The action that I took was not delayed as long as it has taken me totell it.
As I rounded the first turnI was appalled to see that the ramp passed directly
through a guardroom. The padwar of the guard has sentme to direct you to redouble
your watchfulness. Above the trees I paused to have a look about me through the
periscope. The corridor I had entered led directly into the royal apartments.
Closing the hatch and springing to the controls, I rose quickly out ofimmediate
danger. Her eyes were bathed with unshed tears and I saw her
lipstremble.
I shall kill you now if you do not, I replied. He
looked hurriedly and affrightedly about him.
I leaned close against the bars and whispered her
name.
I continued on across the room as nonchalantly
asthough I had been in my own quarters in Helium. Now, however, was no time for
meditation.
It is useless, Isaid to attempt to pierce forandus
with cold steel. Two warriors on duty at the top of the ramp almost blocked
myfurther progress. Had it been, it could never have been taken for the guardswould
have been upon me. Cautiously, I opened the panel sufficiently to permit me to view
theinterior of the apartment.
The corridor I had entered led directly into the
royal apartments. No one within it was awake, but I heard voices in an adjoining
room. At night these hangars would be closedand locked and watched over by sentries
in the bargain. His eyes were upon the doorway and they werewide with incredulity
and horror.
It is my life, or yours, Haj Osis, I said, unless
you do what I tellyou to do.
Once again I wasalone, fettered to a stone
wall.
Now, however, was no time for meditation.