t can't be," he exclaimed. "The guards would not disobey her, and she
has ordered no action."

Swiftly, then, the searching ray of the apparatus swung back to the
Tritu Anu itself, boring into the vast structure above them. One of the
chemical laboratories was completely wrecked; maimed and dying Rulans
were everywhere in the ruins. And those who staggered to their feet
were shot down by the green-bronze guards who stood at the doorway.

Then, floor after floor was revealed in the all-seeing crystal.
Everywhere it was the same. Merciless, cold-blooded destruction of the
Rulan scientists, the most valuable of all in the Llott scheme of
things. The Earth men were speechless with horror. Ulana once more
buried her head in Carson's shoulder, moaning helplessly.

The scene shifted again to the council chamber of the palace in
Ilen-dar. The Zara had not risen from her knees; she was still pleading
with Dantor. She knew nothing of the massacre.

"Ianito!" Tiedus gasped. "It must be he."

* * * * *

And once more the view was changed. They were in the huge dome through
which they had entered this mad world. Near the base of the great
telescope a bullet-headed Llott was gazing into the depths of one of
the crystal spheres, watching the carnage in the Tritu Anu and shouting
his orders to the guards. "Slay, slay, slay!" he yelled. "Not a Rulan
shall remain in all Antrid. It is Ianito commanding you, Ianito the
Great, master of our destinies, Dictator Supreme. Let not one escape; I
command it. Then will come the great day of release; of conquest. A new
home, a new world awaits you for the taking."

"It is as I thought," Tiedus groaned: "it is the end. He has taken
things in his own hands at last."

The sphere went blank at his touch of a lever. His shoulders drooped
and he spread his hands in a gesture of resignation.

"What in the devil!" Tommy exploded. "Can this guy overrule the Zara?
Is he that powerful?"

"He is actual ruler of the world that is Antrid; the power behind the
throne. Clyone must do his bidding. He has seen that she is softening
and resolved to speed things up himself."

A sudden bedlam could be heard in the corridor outside the stone door.
This Ianito had gone the Zara one better. He had located them; probably
saw the capture of the guard and the rescue of Ulana on the very spot
where his minions now hammered for entrance.

"They will take you!" Tiedus whisp