"Okay," Garth said. "You know what to do. Give me time enough to make it. Then get out of here with the others, fast."
Willard's hand gripped Garth's. "Ed—"
"Forget it."
He moved toward the tunnel-mouth. Paula, he saw, was lying near by, her red-gold hair cascading about her pale, lovely face.
Garth stood looking down at her for a long moment. Then he went on, into the tunnel that waited for him. He did not look back.
Cautiously he stepped through the black curtain, ready to retreat at sight of any Zarno. But the cavern was empty.
If he could make it—!
Noiselessly he stole up the passage. Once he froze against the wall at the sound of distant footsteps. But they faded and were gone.
He came out at last into a corridor he recognized. Far away, he saw the flashing gleam of the Zarno's silicate skins. They were approaching, but apparently had not seen him yet.
He raced for the archway that led into the temple-cavern. If there were any Zarno there, it would be fatal. But luck favored him. The immense room was empty. At the far end the huge robot sat on its jet throne.