For instead of a human head, to match a human body, this monster had the head of a gigantic bull, with monstrous horns and great glaring eyes and nostrils that flared and quivered.
Burke's hand shook so his lamp almost slopped over. A slow step at a time, he tried to back away.
But now, with a great bull-roar, the monster's head came down. It lunged at him.
Burke hurled the lamp at it.
Incredibly fast, the thing dodged. The lamp struck the wall. Flame leaped along the tapestry.
But the Minotaur paid the fire no heed. Again it lunged at Burke, spearing in at him with one of the great bull horns.
Barely in time, Burke dived aside. Desperately, he scrambled past the central tank, searching vainly for some weapon. When he stumbled over a low stool, he snatched it up, glad for anything that he could use to strike a blow.
Another bellow. The monster launched a new charge.
Burke swung the stool.
But even as the blow descended, the Minotaur brought up huge hands to stop it. Catching the stool by the legs, the creature jerked it up, trying to wrestle it away from Burke.