There was a sudden whirr of machinery in the corridor outside, the chatter of many voices.
"They come!" cried Daro.
Rod rushed to the door.
"Keep behind me!" he commanded.
He pulled the door open. One end of the hall was packed with machines coming from the compound. The Capek that had escaped must have gone there for help. The opening to the street was deserted except for those passing.
"This way!" Rod yelled and dashed for the street. The others followed with the mob of Capeks speeding swiftly after them.
For a moment the scene was as he had first observed it, quiet with moving machines in the afternoon sun. Then, as they burst out of the building, there was an abrupt cessation of activity. All stopped, craned their black neck cords and stared.
"Come on!" Rod yelled to his human allies and sped up the street, not knowing where.
But the surprise of the Capeks was brief. As the swarm poured from the building, all in the streets joined them in mad pursuit.