iors."

Sweat was standing out on Mike's brow. "Never mind the guns. I just
hope it's soon. The next one to go into that vat is a girl who--"

The Baserite's eyes filled with quick sympathy. "One of you, my
friend?"

"One of us."

"I can only hope the ships come first."

Mike licked his dry lips. "But if they don't--you say you have some
guns--the keys." He was looking at the Baserite with fixed
calculation, his thoughts transparent.

Mertaan had no difficulty in divining them. "We cannot move until the
ships come. If you strive to change this I shall kill you swiftly and
silently. I shall kill everyone in the cell to ensure silence."

Mike's look remained fixed. He knew he did not have the courage to
watch Doree die horribly when there was a key and a weapon within his
reach. He deliberately forced the cold look from his face but whether
the Baserite's suspicion was lulled, he could not tell.

Mertaan smiled coldly and said, "There is another of your kind in the
cell block."

* * * * *

Mike took a step forward, but the Baserite stepped warily back. "An
old man?" Mike asked.

"A very old man. He is four cells down. We know nothing of him because
no one can speak his language."

Professor Brandon! Mike sent up a silent prayer of thanksgiving. "He
will be released when the time comes?"

"If he chooses. None will be forced to go against their wishes, but I
cannot imagine anyone refusing."

Mike turned to the bars gripping them hard. Several priests were
working ghoulishly over the body of the dead Baserite. Mike looked
toward the various entrances to the pit. Through which of these would
they bring Doree? He prayed that none of the doors would open.

But as though part of a plan to torture him, one of the doors opened
suddenly. Two guards came through.

They were leading Doree.

She was very pale and seemed to Mike to have grown increasingly
beautiful. She wore a simple golden robe and the guards did not treat
her as roughly as they had handled the Baserite. Small consolation.

She had found a great courage and walked serenely with her head held
high and Mike's pride and love almost burst his heart. Desperately he
tried to keep control over himself.

* * * * *

Doree advanced under close scrutiny of the guards to the point at
which the Baserite had been slain. She appeared empty of all fear.

Then a priest advanced and stood for a mo