"Stop it," said a wailing voice in his ear and a heat-gun prodded him in the back. "It's murder. I can't let you do it."
"You infernal idiot!" Andy shouted, forgetting himself. The sound of his voice reached the three men. They took to cover. Andy ducked away from the opening. He half carried, half led the protesting girl back into the cave. They were just in time. A sharp explosion at the mouth sent tons of rock cascading down, blocking the entrance completely.
"Now we're fixed!" said Andy grimly. "We'll never get out."
The girl was sobbing softly. "I'm sorry—I couldn't help it—"
Another explosion sounded outside. Andy could hear the muffled sound of falling stone.
"They're doing a good job—" he began "Hello Jupiter! What was that?"
The cavern swayed and rocked to the blast of a terrific explosion. It sounded like a blast from a battery of atomic cannon. A section of the roof between them and the entrance fell in and a choking dust arose. The ground seemed to buckle.
The solid stone quivered like jelly.
"I got it," said Andy, awe in his voice. "Their blaster. A pellet exploded when the spring hit it, and that set off the magazine." He hesitated, then continued. "There's not ... enough left for identification purposes."
The girl was crying. "Anyhow ... you didn't murder them," she sobbed. "And I'm glad—you didn't."