"If the intruder makes an error...."
Hearing their deity speak, the priests of Big Joe babbled wildly and withdrew a little. But one, more impulsive than the rest, began shrieking.
"Kill the intruders! Cut them down with your spears!"
Asir glanced back to see two of them racing toward the room, lances cocked for the throw. If a spear struck a trigger-tile——
"Stop!" he bellowed, facing around.
The two priests paused. Wondering if it would result in his sudden death, he rested a hand lightly against the huge steel arm of the robot, then leaned against it. The huge eyes were staring down at him, but Big Joe did not move.
The spearmen stood frozen, gaping at the thief's familiarity with the horrendous hulk. Then, slowly they backed away.
Continuing his bluff, he looked up at Big Joe and spoke in a loud voice. "If they throw their spears or try to enter, kill them."
He turned his back on the throng in the hall and continued the cautious advance. Five to go, four, three, two——