fierce sibilant like
the hiss of a serpent, a terrifying sound that silenced the hunchback
and brought him stiffly to attention, mouth open and eyes bulging with
horror. One of those unbelievably white arms stretched forth,
threateningly tense, and a jeweled finger leveled itself at the rash
Ionian. From it there flashed an intangible something that leaped to
bridge the distance with the speed of light, something that screeched
as it flew and crashed like breaking glass when it struck Antazzo's
horrified face. In an instant he was on the floor, screaming and
writhing in mortal agony.

The Zara watched with compressed lips and livid features as a host of
black disk-like things covered the squirming body, spinning madly as if
driven by atomic energy and emitting a myriad high-pitched tones like
the angry buzzing of a swarm of bees. Antazzo's body shriveled as the
things hummed on in their devilish work. Soon there was but a tiny heap
of clothing with the angry black disks whirling and singing their song
of hate. And then, in a puff of thick yellow vapor they were gone,
their gruesome work completed. The odor of putrefaction lay heavy on
the air.

Blaine shuddered and a fit of nausea twisted his vitals. It served the
devil right, of course, but it was a horrible way to go. These damned
Ionians, even to their queen, were bloodthirsty creatures. And what
devilish ingenuity they had displayed in their development of weapons!
His eyes were drawn irresistibly to the flaming orbs of the Zara.

She was actually smiling at him, this beautiful, heartless animal, not
a smile of derision but one of deliberate allure. He felt the hot blood
mount to his temples. A languid arm beckoned him to her side and the
amazing creature settled back in her cushions with the drowsy,
contented motions of a lazy feline.

"Watch your step!" Tommy hissed.

That warning was unnecessary. Blaine shook his head and backed away
from the dais, an instinctive recoiling from a loathsome thing. The
Zara saw and understood; and she went again into a black rage. She sat
stiffly erect and called rapid orders to her men-at-arms.

The Earth men were surrounded instantly, their arms and legs pinioned
by powerful hands, their feeble resistance overcome by the bronze
giants as easily as if they had been children. Helpless and hopeless,
they were borne from the room.

* * * * *

This was the end of the story, Blaine th