not be harmed, he felt, but that made him feel no
easier, knowing that she might be in the hands of Barter.

How could he know of Naka Machi, and the refined vengeance of the Mind
Master?

The last visitors had left the park and comparative quiet settled over
the zoo. Save for the sounds of animals feeding and the occasional
cursing voices of attendants there were no sounds. Not since Bentley
had taken his place in the cage had anyone spoken to him. He had
never felt so lonely and uncertain in his life.

Now there was utter darkness and silence.

And then before his cage appeared a tiny spot of light. If Barter's
minions expected to deal with a powerful ape they would come prepared
to subdue him by whatever means seemed necessary. Bentley had no wish
to be injured, and yet he must make some show of resistance in order
to allay any possible suspicion that he _wished_ to be stolen.

There was a faint gnawing sound at the wire outside the cage. Mice
might have made that sound, sharpening their teeth on the wire.
Bentley decided to feign sleep. Had Barter come personally to
supervise his capture? That didn't seem reasonable as Barter must
realize that all his effectiveness depended upon his ability to retain
control of whatever organization he might have built up--and his
central control must be his hideout.

Then he would be sending some of his puppets to get Bentley.

Would they be apes with man's brains? Impossible. Apes could not
travel from place to place without attracting attention, especially if
they traveled unguarded and went casually to a given destination as
men would go. So, if his puppets were not men in the normal meaning,
then they were "apemen."

- - -

The wire came softly down. Bentley hoped that no attendant might come
blundering around now to spoil everything. His heart pounded with
excitement.

At last he was going to see Caleb Barter again at close quarters.

"I shall destroy him," he told himself.

The shadowy outlines of two men came through the severed wires.
Bentley still pretended to be asleep. He wondered if Barter's
televisory equipment included any arrangements permitting him to see
in the dark, and knew instantly that it did. How else could these two
puppets have come so unerringly to the proper cage in Bronx Park?

No, Bentley did not dare allow himself to be taken easily in the hope
that his actions would pass unnoticed.

But he waited until the ropes began to