"I'm not going to have her start the Pallas," said Kent grimly. "Marta, you're in the pilot-house? Do you see the heavy little steel door in the wall beside the instrument-panel?"
"I'm at it, but it's locked with a combination-lock," she said.
"The combination is 6–34–77–81," Kent told her swiftly. "Open it as quickly as you can."
"Good God, Kent!" cried Crain. "You're going to have her—?"
"Get out of there the only way she can!" Kent finished fiercely. "You have the door open, Marta?"
"Yes; there are six or seven control-wheels inside."
"Those wheels control the Pallas' exhaust-valves," Kent told her. "Each wheel opens the valves of one of the ship's decks or compartments and allows its air to escape into space. They're used for testing leaks in the different deck and compartment divisions. Marta, you must turn all those wheels as far as you can to the right."
"But all the ship's air will rush out; the guards below have no suits on, and they'll be—" she was exclaiming. Kent interrupted.
"It's the only chance for you, for all of us. Turn them!"
There was a moment of silence, and Kent was going to repeat the order when her voice came, lower in tone, a little strange: