Thorn started violently. For the moment, in his first wild concern for Lana's safety, he had forgotten the larger issue.
"The last hope of the Alliance is gone if that happens!” he exclaimed. His fists clenched convulsively. “And we're locked up here! Isn't there something we can do?"
"Nothing but wait,” answered Gunner heavily.
* * *
The long hours of that day were a torture infinitely prolonged to John Thorn. Pacing the little room, peering tensely from the window, he waited in terrible suspense.
They were not brought any food or water. They had been completely forgotten for the time being in the greater catastrophe. They could see the street of Turkoon Town thronged with excited pirate women and men who had been left behind by the hasty expedition that had thundered forth in chase of Jenk Cheerly.
Night came, and more hours dragged past. Then from the distance came the thudding thunder of many ships landing.
"They're back!” Thorn cried tautly. “But did they rescue Lana?"
"We'll soon know,” muttered Sual Av.
They heard the pirate crews and captains trooping back into town, heard a loud uproar of voices. They waited tensely.