"Take it easy, then."
They went on, running lightly on their toes. The light had vanished, but Garth knew the way. Suddenly they came out of a short tunnel into one of the great rooms, and relief flooded Garth as he saw Paula's face, pale in reflected light, a dozen feet away.
Simultaneously a faint sound came rhythmically—like dim drums.
Garth said sharply, "Hear that? Men coming down a ramp. Get the girl and let's go!"
But Paula was already coming toward them, blinking in the glare. "Who's that? Carver? I—"
Brown gripped her arm. "There's no time to talk now, Paula. We're in a jam. Keep your mouth shut and come along. Garth, can you get us back to that secret passage?"
"Maybe. It'll be blind luck if we make it. Turn your lamps out and link hands. Here." He felt Paula's firm, warm palm hard against his, and remembrance of Moira was suddenly unexpectedly painful. He had not seen an Earthgirl for years....
What of it, now? Garth moved cat-footedly forward, leading the others. He went fast. Once or twice he clicked on his light briefly. They could hear the noise of the search-party now, and a few times, could see distant lights.
"If they find that open panel—" Brown whispered.
"Keep quiet."