an over-size pigeon-hole surrounded by smaller ones. Into
that largest pigeon-hole the speedster darted, and cushioned desks and
benches crashed down, crushed flat under its enormous weight as it came
to rest upon the floor.

Every available guard had been thrown into that room, regardless of
customary occupation or of equipment. Most of them had been ordinary
watchmen, not even wearing masks, and all such were already down. Many,
however, were protected by masks, and a few were dressed in full armor.
But no portable armor could mount defenses of sufficient power to
withstand the awful force of the speedster's weapons, and one flashing
swing of a projector swept the hall almost clear of life.

"Can't shoot very close to Bradley with this big beam, but I'll mop up
on the rest of them by hand. Stay here and cover me, Clio!" Costigan
ordered, and went to open the door.

"I can't--I won't!" Clio replied instantly. "I don't know the controls
well enough. I'd kill you or Captain Bradley, sure; but I _can_ shoot,
and I'm going to!" and she leaped out, close upon his heels.

Thus, flaming Lewiston in one hand and barking automatic in the other,
the two mailed figures advanced toward Bradley; now doubly helpless:
paralyzed by his enemies and gassed by his friends. For a time the
Nevians melted away before them, but as they approached more nearly the
couch, upon which the captain was, they encountered six figures encased
in armor fully as capable as their own. The beams of the Lewistons
rebounded from that armor in futile pyrotechnics, the bullets of the
automatics spattered and exploded impotently against it. And behind that
single line of armored guards were massed perhaps twenty unarmored, but
masked, soldiers; and scuttling up the ramps leading into the hall were
coming the platoons of heavily-armored figures which Costigan had
previously seen.

Decision instantly made, Costigan ran back toward the speedster, but he
was not deserting his companions.

"Keep the good work up!" he instructed the girl as he ran. "I'll pick
those jaspers off with a pencil ray and then stand off the bunch that's
coming while you rub out the rest of that crew there and drag Bradley
back here."

Back at the control panel, he trained a narrow, but intensely dense
pencil of livid flame, and one by one the six armored figures fell.
Then, knowing that Clio could handle the remaining opposition, he
devoted his attention to the reenforcements so ra