le, the brute reached ground level?

CHAPTER VII

_Strange Interview_

Bentley and Tyler were to learn in the next few minutes how great was
the executive ability of Caleb Barter. He had created a mighty puzzle,
each and every bit of which must fit together exactly. Time was
important in making the puzzle complete--and the puzzle changed with
each passing second. As the anthropoid went slowly down the face of
the Clinton Building, Bentley was sure that Barter controlled every
move and saw every slightest thing that transpired. He knew very well
that of all the great organization which had been set to prevent the
taking of Saret Balisle, not a man would now shoot at the ape for fear
of jeopardizing the life of Balisle.

And yet Balisle was being spirited away to pass through an experience
which would be far worse than a merciful bullet through the brain or
the heart. Bentley knew he would be justified in the eyes of humanity
if he ordered his men to fire upon the anthropoid, even if he were
sure that Balisle would die. But as long as there was life there was
hope, too, and he couldn't bring himself to give the order.

The ape dropped down the face of the building as easily as he would
have dropped from limb to limb of a jungle tree. The sixteen
stories under him did not disconcert him at all. Bentley had a
suspicion about this particular ape, but he wouldn't know for a
time yet whether his suspicion had a basis in fact. He couldn't think
of a man--especially an old man like Harold Hervey--making that
hair-raising descent. Yet ... if he were controlled, mind and soul,
by Caleb Barter the Mind Master...?

"Tyler," said Bentley tersely. "The instant the ape reaches the street
I'm going to order your men to fire. You will shout out to them now,
designating which ones shall fire. Be sure they are crack marksmen who
will drill the ape without hitting Balisle--and, by all means, have
them wait so that the ape's fall won't send Balisle crashing to
death."

"Maybe I'd better tell them to rush him?"

"Maybe that's better, but remember they're dealing with a giant
anthropoid, in strength at least, and that somebody is likely to be
fatally injured. In addition the ape may tear Balisle apart as soon as
men start to close in on him. Barter will have thought of that, and
all he'll have to do to make his puppet perform is to will him to do
it. No, they'll have to shoot--and tell them to aim at his head and
heart."