"I'll go on—see what——"
He checked his words, and started forward. But Dr. Brende was with him, and in doubt what to do I followed with Elza.
We entered the nearest building, into a low, dim room, with doors on the sides. In the silence I seemed to hear my heart pounding my ribs. Elza's face was pale and perturbed, but she smiled very courageously at me.
"Wait!" said Georg. "You wait here."
He turned into a side door leading to another room, and in an instant was back with a face from which the color had departed.
"They're not in there," he said unsteadily. "Elza—you go outside with father.... They must be around somewhere, Jac. Come, look."
There was a rustle behind us. Arms came around me, pinning me. I heard Elza scream, saw Georg fighting two dark forms which had leaped upon him.
I was flung to the ground, but I fought—three men, it seemed to be, who were upon me. Then Georg's voice:
"Jac! Stop—they'll kill you."
I yielded suddenly, and my assailants jerked me to my feet. A group of Venus men were surrounding us. Georg, his jacket torn to ribbons, was backed up against the wall with three or four Venus men holding him.