"Hurry!" said Astro. "Here they come." Quent, carrying one of the instruments, had started up the steps to the balcony.
Tom grabbed the latch and pushed up but the door would not open. "Give me a hand, Astro, quick!" he called.
Astro grabbed the latch and heaved his bulk against the door. Suddenly he stepped back dumfounded, holding the latch in his hand. It had snapped off.
Just at that moment Brett looked up and saw them. He shouted a warning to Miles, who dropped the instrument he was carrying and pulled out his ray gun.
"Just stand where you are!" he snarled, leveling the gun at them.
Tom and Astro stood quietly, hands in the air.
"How in blazes did they get here?" Brett cried.
"They must have followed me," said Miles. "They certainly couldn't have known about this place."
"But how did they get past the trap?" Brett persisted, still amazed and shaken by the unexpected appearance of the cadets.
Astro snorted his contempt. "You must think we're a couple of prize space jerks," he growled. "You can't even kill a mouse with that thing now."