r, but it was pleasant and in no way
oppressive. As soon as all of them were ready, the man called Slag
beckoned and then started down the steps.

Warm black water rose to Gerry's knees, then to his waist. As it came up
to his shoulders he saw the top of Slag's helmet disappear below the
surface ahead of him. For a moment the smooth surface of the water was
level with Gerry's eyes as it rose around his own helmet. Then he
stepped down into a darkness as black and impenetrable as though he were
immersed in ink.

Gerry guided himself with his left hand on the slime covered stones of
the wall beside him. He reached back with his other hand to steady
Closana who was just behind. All together he counted thirty steps,
feeling carefully with his feet each time, before the floor leveled off.
The wall curved around to the right. Gerry followed it, rounded a bend,
and was no longer in darkness.

They stood in a straight passage that was lined with blocks of polished
stone. Metal plates, set in the ceiling at regular intervals, glowed
with a greenish-yellow light that was nearly as bright as the cloudy
Venusian daylight. The place was completely filled with water.

It was an eerie sensation! Slag was standing a few feet ahead, grinning
at them through the glass of his helmet, but now he turned and walked
slowly down the corridor. Gerry followed him, bent well forward as he
walked, forcing himself ahead against the resistance of the water. All
their movements were sluggish and slow, but the heavily leaded sandals
held them down and gave their feet purchase.

* * * * *

Small fishes swam past them along the passage, their round eyes peering
in through the helmet glasses as they passed. Clumps of colored sea-weed
grew out from the walls and ceiling, their long streamers waving gently
in the slow currents set up by the passage of the men. In spite of the
brightness of the light from the ceiling plates, the effect of the water
made it difficult to see far down the passage ahead. The outlines of
Slag were clear enough as he plodded along directly ahead of Gerry, but
everything beyond him was a little blurred and uncertain. It was like
living in a mirage.

At last they came to a point where the passage branched. Here they
passed a sentry who wore a glass helmet and a tight fitting green rubber
uniform. On his chest was the insignia of a rampant black dragon. He was
armed with a very thin, almost nee