t regarding the Rulan maiden. "Why, yes," she
snapped, suddenly very much alert; "I can see them. Send them
immediately."

The Dictator chortled as he switched off the power. Dantor paled and
looked away. So this was his scheme! He was sending Ulana to certain
death at the hands of the leopard woman. Blaine bit his lips until they
bled. If only he had one of their ray pistols again. If he had--

* * * * *

Ianito was at his side, whispering. But he couldn't see him; the devil
had donned one of Dantor's invisible cloaks. Something hard pressed
deep into his ribs.

"I shall be with you," the Dictator told him, "but she will not know.
It is necessary, of course, that I watch over you in order that your
deportment be suitable to the occasion. The death ray of Antrid is
ready in my hands. Proceed, you and the Rulan maid, and see to it that
you give her every attention while in the Zara's presence."

Dantor interposed an objection, "But, Ianito, you promised to spare
them. I learned to love these two and want no harm to come their way."

"I keep my promise, oh Dantor. Ianito will not harm them."

"But the Zara."

"What Clyone does is none of my concern. Silence, Dantor; I command it!
You will remain here." The voice of the Dictator cut like a knife.

The old Rulan scientist bowed his head and turned away. Good old
Dantor! He'd done all in his power to help them. This was the end; not
a question of doubt. Blaine Carson drew the Rulan maiden fiercely to
him. This Clyone might meet some opposition if she attempted to wreak
her spite on Ulana; she _would_ meet it. There was no need for Ianito
to ask that he pay every attention to the lovely, frightened girl who
clung to him so trustingly.

They were in the lift then, dropping swiftly into the palace beneath
the great dome that topped Antrid.

"This Clyone," Ulana whispered, "she has great power of enticement, my
Carson. I fear for your loss--to me. She will take you from me, and I
shall be alone--or dead. Death would be the better."

"Never!" said Blaine huskily. "Never, my dear. She has no power over
me; nor will I permit her to bring suffering to you."

Ianito laughed then, an ugly cackle that came out of the unseen.

CHAPTER X

_Clyone and Ulana_

The Zara received them in the throne room, alone. Blaine hesitated as
he crossed the threshold, Ulana's trembling fingers tightly clasped in
his own. The quick prod