"All set?" The question came from Major.
"The coffins, first," remarked Deacon.
"That's right," said Major. "Come on. Line them up." Butcher started toward a double stack of polished coffins at one side of the room. He started to lift the end of the uppermost casket.
"Psst!" hissed Deacon. "Not those. Those are the new ones. They did their work. The old ones are for tonight."
He indicated a stack of dusty coffins at the other side of the room. Butcher strode in that direction.
"Suits me," he said with a grin. "These are lighter. Those other babies are tough ones."
He grasped one end of a coffin, and Major took the other. Deacon and Ferret joined in the work.
Soon a row of caskets stretched across the floor, and Deacon signaled that the work had been completed.
"Come on," said Major, to Ferret.
The man of military bearing opened the panel in the end of the room. He and Ferret entered the passage, Major lighting the way with a flashlight. The panel closed behind them.