The policeman hesitated.
"You owe me this much," said Barnard.
"You're putting me on a spot," Remish growled. "But go ahead, if you must."
As Barnard started to close the door behind him, he was thrown to the floor by Lansfer's sudden rush. The hard faced policeman threw a bolt over the door, then dived on Barnard, clutching for the helmet.
The reporter fought back instinctively. His feet went into Lansfer as the other dived on him. He rose as far as his knees and delivered short solid punches to the body as Lansfer clawed desperately for the silver band.
Suddenly Lansfer stiffened with an expression of utter horror and fell away.
For a minute Barnard watched, building up his own strength. Then he tore the helmet from his head, hurled it far from him.
"Come on, you devils," he growled. "I want my mind back."
When Barnard dragged Lansfer out of the cave, his eyes were bright, and a happy grin was on his face. The first thing he saw was Gail, utterly miserable against a wall of the corridor. The first thing he did was kiss her amazed face.
"You're the boss now," he told the equally amazed Remish. "If you'll take a suggestion, let's find Lansfer's hoard and throw all the silver coins into that cave. That should put an end to the energy creatures."