ered. "There is no doubt as to the
orders issued by Ianito. They will take you alive and bring you to him.
You will be compelled to yield the secret of the metal that energizes."

"Not on your life! We'll refuse." Blaine was very positive.

Tiedus smiled sadly. "There is the pink gas, you know," he reminded
him. "No, Carson, there is but one way. You must go out into the jungle
and hide for a time. Dantor will return later; it is certain he will be
spared. And he will contrive some way of outwitting them. Come; there
is a passage."

Blaine saw the wisdom of the argument. It was their only chance. There
was a blast that shook the ground beneath their feet, and a huge
section of the stone door was blown into the room. He drew Ulana close
with a possessive encircling arm.

* * * * * * * * * *

They were in a dark narrow passage now, following the whispered voice
of Tiedus. It was damp and rankly odorous there in the darkness, and
slimy things wriggled over the floor, brushing their ankles clammily.
Behind them there was the roar of another explosion and the shouting of
angry voices. The guards were in the secret chamber and hot on their
trail.

Tiedus was fumbling with something ahead of them where they had halted;
something that rattled and clanked and finally came free. A door opened
into the deep-shadowed green of the jungle.

"Go now, quickly," he warned them. "Hide yourselves as far in as you
dare go. You will be lost, but will later be directed by a mental
message from Dantor. I shall advise him from the spirit world. We do
that, you know, we Rulans. But I must leave you now; I must hold back
the guards to give you time. Go, friends; farewell."

In his hand Tiedus held the ray pistol they had taken from the captured
guard. He would account for a few of the Llotta at least. Blaine
reached for him to restrain him; it was unthinkable that this fine lad
should sacrifice himself for them. But Tiedus was gone; he had slipped
away into the black depths of the passageway.

"Come on, snap into it!" Tommy grated, his voice brittle with
suppressed emotion. "The kid's right; let's go." He pushed his way into
the matted growth of the jungle.

Holding Ulana close and not daring to look into her eyes lest he should
see what he knew was there, Blaine followed his friend. The mysterious
depths of the pale green forest closed in about them.