And here again—stunningly!—was the door unlocked! Its latch clicked at Gary's pressure. The heavy door swung slowly open, and a bright room yawned before them; a tremendous, vaulted chamber in which were mounted gigantic instruments of almost unguessable size and power.
The control panels governing these instruments were set on high walls, but as they entered Gary saw that a single figure, garbed in smock and apron of laboratory white, head encased in a heavy visionplated shield similar to that used by welders, sufficed to keep all this intricate paraphernalia in working order. This single technician was darting back and forth before his control banks, here touching a vernier, there readjusting a rheostat, elsewhere depressing a stud which performed some unfathomable duty.
At sight of this single lab man, O'Day's exultation could no longer be restrained. With a gleeful cry he charged into the room, handgun drawn and menacing. His voice cried in swift command. "All right, you at the controls there! Turn around, and put your hands up—Up, I said!"
And then—too many things happened at once! There came a sudden gasp from Penny's lips.
"Lark! It's—"
And a frightened scream from Nora Powell. Metal clanged noisily as the great door clanged behind the four invaders. A bolt thick as a man's arm jarred into place. And even as the four whirled to comprehend this phenomenon, an all too horribly familiar voice repeated O'Day's order.
"Yes, my foolish friends—hands up and drop your weapons to the floor! What delayed you? I have been waiting for you quite some time."
And from behind the concealment of the now-closed door, flanked by a detail of Magogean warriors, armed to the teeth and ready for instant action, stepped Borisu!
"A trap!" cried Gary Lane. "A trap!"