sure of giving him enough, for they poured another
full cup of the liquid down his throat before releasing him.

The guards then fell back and Powell stumbled to his feet. Joan was
already up again, standing close beside him. From the wry expression
upon her face, Powell knew that she had also been given the drugged
potion.

* * * * *

For a long minute the two stood there with every nerve trembling as
they helplessly waited for the paralyzing numbness to sweep over
their bodies. The seconds passed slowly, and still their minds
remained as clear as though the drug had been water. Another full
minute elapsed without effect, before they could finally convince
themselves of the amazing truth.

The drugged drink of the rat-men, instantly paralyzing to those of
their own rodent race, was utterly harmless to the human being from
another world!

Powell instantly realized the forlorn last chance their unexpected
immunity to the drug gave them.

"Play 'possum, Joan!" he whispered tensely. "Then we'll make a
break for the king and those Belts!"

Joan nodded slightly in quick understanding. Powell let his jaw drop
slack and open, and stiffened his body in imitation of the stupor
the rodent drug victims had shown. Joan promptly followed his lead.
The alertly watching guards relaxed their tense vigilance in obvious
relief.

The guards waited another minute to be sure of the drug's effects.
Then, apparently satisfied, they stepped forward and unbound the two
prisoners. Powell let his bonds drop from him without making a
hostile move of any kind. He wanted first to wait until he was free
of the encircling guards.

The rat-men maneuvered the two into position, and prodded them
forward toward the projecting point of rock. They obediently began
their march, simulating as best they could the wooden mechanical
gait of the drug victims. Powell saw from the corner of his eye that
Joan was tensely watching his face for a sign from him.

As the captives reached the narrow projection the guards dropped a
couple of yards behind and halted to watch. It was the chance for
which Powell had been waiting.

"Let's go!" he shouted to Joan. The girl, alert for his signal, was
right beside him as they wheeled and dashed at break-neck speed for
the rat-king and his sole lieutenant, some ten yards away.

* * * * *

They were upon the two startled rodent leaders before they even