"She's right, John,” said Sual Av in a low, strained voice. “God knows I hate to go and leave her here. But remember, we promised the Earth Chairman we'd do anything to get that radite."
"We've got to do it, yes,” muttered Gunner, his huge fists clenched. “But we'll come back, and if they've harmed her—"
John Thorn faced crucial decision, his mind torn by conflicting emotions. His heart throbbed with desperate anxiety for Lana. Yet clear before him came the weary face of the Earth Chairman, telling him the Alliance's last hope was in the Planeteers.
"We'll do it,” Thorn said hoarsely. He could not say more. He could only stare haggardly into Lana's eyes.
"Then listen to the secret of Erebus that my father told me, John!” the girl cried. “It's doom, hideous and ghastly doom, to land anywhere on Erebus except—"
"Listen!” Sual Av cried suddenly. “Someone is coming!"
From beyond the locked door at the end of the short corridor came a sound of voices and approaching footsteps.
"It must be the captain of guards on his inspection!” exclaimed Lana fearfully.
"No time to get back to that drain!” Thorn rapped. “Quick, into one of these cells! Drag those bodies in, too!"
In an instant, he and the Venusian and Mercurian had seized the scorched bodies of the two dead guards and had dragged them into an empty cell across the corridor from Lana's cell. As they swung shut the door of their hiding place, the door at the end of the corridor opened, and men entered the prison.