"Faking? You shall see in a few minutes, when I put you to death in the murderous device constructed by your one-time leader, Dr. Townsend!"
"Murderous—" began Hardesty.
"Please, Neil! Then you ... you found Dr. Townsend's chamber?" asked Dirk.
"Yes. And experimented with it, too. We know, now, its purpose. Too bad Robert Townsend did not live to receive our congratulations. So that was your secret, eh? Your late leader succeeded in perfecting a disintegration chamber?"
"Disint—" began Morris. Then he stopped abruptly. When he spoke again, his voice was defiant. "Well ... now that you know, what are you going to do about it?"
Brian Shaughnessey stared at his friend miserably.
"Disintegrating machine!" he choked. "Nothing but a damned theoretical gadget! Is that the great invention we've been risking our lives for? Dirk—"
"Do about it?" laughed Garroway negligently. "Why, I'm going to turn it to my own usage, of course. And you, my unfortunate young conspirator, will attain the distinction of being the instrument's first human victim. Come, guards! We have no more time to waste."
"A moment!" interrupted Morris. "You will keep your promise? My companions go free when I die?"
The Overlord nodded with mock graciousness.