They resumed their march toward the palace. His ears keenly alert for sounds of pursuit, Robert, too, fancied several times that he heard cautious footsteps following in the distance; but he finally concluded that what he heard was nothing more than the countless rustling echoes from their own footsteps.
At last they reached a winding stairway. Up this they followed Dyarkon till it brought them to another level stretch of paving.
At a command from the emperor the guard stopped and fumbled along the base of the right wall. A door in the masonry swung outward. Through this they all followed quickly, closing the door behind them.
They now stood within another passage exactly like the first, but running at right angles to it. Was it imagination that caused Robert to believe he heard a scurry of footsteps along the passage they had just quit?
“Did you hear?” murmured the princess, clutching Robert’s arm.
He nodded. Then he was right. They had just quit the other passage in time!
The little procession moved on again. Another short flight of stairs brought them to a stop before a blank wall at the end of the passage. Here Dyarkon repeated his former performances and the wall opened.
A brilliant stream of sunlight burst upon them. The abrupt contrast with the dim glow of the passage all but blinded them for a few seconds.
An involuntary exclamation burst from Robert’s lips. The Sphere rested within fifty feet of them! They were standing inside the broad wall of the palace courtyard!
Instantly his mind formed a plan of action. They would make a dash for the Sphere. Once safely inside they could rise quickly and observe the actions of the crowds. Then they could lay their plans at leisure.