"It is good. There is important work to be done." Ianito's words
trailed off into the maelstrom of sound that swirled about them.

"He's cut off," the scientist yelled. "There is but one chance now. You
must come with me, depending on absolute silence and your cloaks to
deceive them. It is the only way."

* * * * *

Ulana clung to him there in the terrifying bedlam and Blaine's fingers
strayed to the comforting butt of the ray pistol. Whatever happened
there were a few charges left; blasts of energy that would serve at
least to postpone the end for Ulana. Or, if worse came to worst--

The sudden rush of a monorail car high overhead interrupted his
thoughts. "Close to me now!" Dantor shouted; "but have a care lest one
of them touch you and discover--"

A cable-hung cage dropped swiftly to the roof and they crowded in
beside the scientist. Quickly it whisked them aloft to the higher
plane.

In the monorail car Blaine held the girl close, and they trod softly as
they dodged the guard at the porthole and stepped into the passenger
compartment. Two of Ianito's technical experts were there and a crew of
at least a dozen of the green-bronze giants. Unseen by any, the couple
tiptoed to the farthest corner of the compartment and took seats in a
recessed section.

With a quick jerk and the rising whine of motors, the suspended vehicle
started back in the direction of Ilen-dar. In earnest conversation with
Ianito's engineers, Dantor affected an air of nonchalance that was
artfully disarming. The Llotta suspected nothing as the car continued
on its way.

And then there came an ominous grinding sound from underneath the very
seat occupied by the invisible fugitives. A puff of dense black smoke
followed and Ulana coughed spasmodically, uncontrollably. They were
coming now, two of the green-bronze ones, to investigate. There was no
escape from this narrow space. And--Ulana was gone! She had slipped
from his grasp in the coughing fit and he could not find her with his
wildly searching hands. Another betraying cough over there. The
green-bronze ones were between them. He saw one of them draw back in
amazement, then clench his fingers and twist.

The ripping sound of torn material followed and the girl's head and
startled face appeared: floating there, unsupported, her body and limbs
as yet invisible. But they'd found her; she was lost!

CHAPTER IX

_Ianito_

Quickly str