es indeed," Douglas said. "Now get back--clear back against the
wall."

George snarled but didn't move.

"I'll count three," Douglas said, "and if you're not back by then
I'll burn you down. You'll obey even if you won't do anything
else.--one--two--"

George retreated to the far end of his cell.

"Now face the wall." Douglas tossed the gas capsule into the cell. The
thin-walled container broke, releasing a cloud of vapor. George
crumpled to the floor. "Now we wait a couple of minutes for the gas to
dissipate," Douglas said. "After that he's all yours. You can go in and
put the irons on him."

"Will he be out long?" Kennon asked.

"About five minutes. After that he'll have muscular control." Douglas
chuckled. "They're stupid," he said. "They know what gas does to them,
but they never have sense enough to hold their breath. They could be
twice as much trouble as they are. All right, it's safe to go in now."
Douglas let the gun dangle in his hand.

Kennon unlocked the door.

And George rolled over, muscles bunched and driving! He hit the door
with such force that Kennon was slammed against the wall, dazed--half
stunned by the speed of the attack. George--he had time to think in one
brief flash--wasn't stupid. He had held his breath for the necessary two
minutes!

Douglas jerked the blaster up and fired, but his target was too quick.
George dropped and rolled. The sizzling streak of violet flashed inches
above his body and tore a six-inch hole through the back of the cell.
And then George was on him! The huge, marvelously fast hands of the
humanoid wrenched the blaster out of Douglas's hands and jerked him
forward. A scream burst from Douglas as George's hands closed around his
neck. Muscles sprang into writhing life in the humanoid's huge forearms.
There was a soft, brittle crack, and Douglas sagged limp in the iron
grip that held him dangling.

"Faugh!" George grunted. He dropped Douglas as Kennon pushed the door
back and came out into the passageway. "Maybe you make better fight,"
George said as he lowered his head into the muscular mass of his broad
shoulders.

Kennon eyed him appraisingly, swinging the irons in his right hand.

This time the Lani didn't charge. He moved slowly, half crouched, long
arms held slightly forward. Kennon backed away, watching the humanoid's
eyes for that telltale flicker of the pupils that gives warning
of attack. The expression on George's face never changed. It was
satisf