Sanlan chuckled. "Have you no faith?"
Barry resumed cutting, puzzled and suspicious, opening a hole just large enough to admit his head. He had guessed his position well, for Sanlan and Lart were standing with their backs toward him while they watched the hatchway.
The Earthman withdrew silently, taking no chances that Sanlan's talk had been a trick to draw him out.
Xintel glanced up as he dropped to the middle room. A confused discussion was in progress below, for no man wanted to be the first to rush the barricade.
"Give me both your tube-weapons," Barry demanded.
She turned her hips, allowing him to take them from her belt without putting down her crossbow or relaxing her vigilance.
"Come at once when you hear me call," he directed. "We can't hold out forever. It's run or die."
"Run? Where?"
"Outside. It is our only chance."
He leaped to the upper room again.