adlong to the ground, he got out a high-pitched
warning yell; and then, as he lay sprawled out, apparently
unconscious, a thin hot orange streak sizzled by Hawk Carse's helmet
from the left.

This time Carse shot. His gun leaped from belt to hand, and had twice
spoken from the hip before one could quite grasp what had happened.
Seemingly without bothering to take aim, his deadly left hand had
stricken into lifeless heaps two coolies who had come running and
shooting from the nearby guard-box.

As Carse stood looking down at their bodies he was startled by another
sizzling spit. He wheeled to see Friday holding the raygun that had
spoken.

The Negro said apologetically:

"Sorry, suh--I had to. The other coolie, the one you knocked down,
came to and was aimin' at you. Guess they're all three dead now, sure
enough."

* * * * *

His master nodded, and said in a low, thoughtful voice: "In spite of
what some men have said, I never like to kill; but for these robots,
more machines than men, with nothing human to live for, it's release
rather than death.

"Well," he began again, more briskly, "we're inside, and whoever else
is here apparently doesn't know it yet. I expected more of a
commotion. I wonder how many coolies Ku Sui had, altogether? Fourteen
or fifteen were killed when we broke through the dome, before, and now
these three. There surely can't be many left. Of course, there are the
four white men, his surgical assistants."

Ban Wilson spoke after what was for him a long silence. He had watched
the Hawk's gunplay with an awe-stricken face; its speed never failed
to amaze him. He observed:

"These buildings certainly look lifeless. Well, what now, Carse?"

"A search." He planned it out in his head, then gave quick orders.
"Ban," he directed, "you go through all the out-buildings, your gun
ready. The five main ones are a workshop, a power-house, storehouse, a
ship hangar and a barracks for coolies. Whoever you find, take
prisoner. Keep in touch with me by radio."

"Friday," he continued, "I'm leaving you here. First get these bodies
in that guard-house they came out of. Then keep sharp watch. I don't
think Ku Sui will return within fifteen minutes, but we must take no
chance. At the first sign of him, warn me."

"Yes, suh. But what are you goin' to do?"

"Take over the central building," said the Hawk. "And then, when the
whole place has been reconnoitered, fulfil my promi