emed blind to my presence; every eye was
fixed on the altar-like hands of the idol, and the death that blew
across them.

"Pete!" yelled Vic. "Coming, boy?" He was waiting for me, staving off as
best he could the rush of bodies around him; shielding Hope from the
savage jostling.

"Coming!" I leaned forward, butting with my head, both doubled fists
working like pistons to clear a way to my companions.

"Nice work, Pete!" shouted Vic, as I joined them, breathless but
triumphant. "Now for a break! Gun loaded?"

I snapped open the action and dropped in six cartridges.

"It is now. I'll go ahead; you bring up the rear with Hope in the
middle. Ready?"

"Let's go!"

* * * * *

I plunged on, Hope's fingers gripping my belt. Fresh multitudes were
pouring up the ramp, brushing aside the five or six priests that had
hurried there in an effort to stem the tide.

One of the priests saw us, and cried out shrilly to his companions. With
one accord they came toward us, obviously intent upon blocking our way.
I have never seen in any other eyes such anger and hatred as blazed in
the eyes of those strange beings.

"Watch them, Pete!" roared Vic. "We can't take chances!" His gun roared
twice from behind me, and two of the priests fell writhing, to be
instantly trampled into pulp. Another reached out long arms toward Hope,
and I let him have it. There was nothing else to do. He went the way of
the two others.

Twice again, before we reached the ramp they guarded, the angry
attendants of the idol fell before our guns. Then, hurrying down ramp
after ramp, corridor after corridor, fighting the rushing mob all the
way, we came at last, shaking with weariness and gasping for breath, to
the deserted streets of this black and terrible city.

"Are we free?" whispered Hope, holding tightly to my arm. "Are we really
free?"

"I hope so, dear. We seem to be. If we can only reach the spot where we
entered this insane world before something happens--"

"How much time have we?" interrupted Vic.

I glanced down at my watch, fearful, for a moment, that it had been
broken or lost in the melee. It was still running, apparently undamaged.

"Let's see; it's four minutes of one. That gives us seven minutes. Can
we make it?"

"I think so. It's not so far, and we're nearly out of the city. We
_have_ to make it!"

* * * * *

Vic led the way, Hope and I following. Anxiously, I