Before Toplinsky or the queen discovered her intention she made another dexterous whirl, turned a somersault over Epworth’s head, landed behind him and freed his hands. The next second she was whirling away toward the throne. But this time she was a little too slow. Toplinsky, who was quite observant, caught her freeing Epworth.
“Ah, ha, the little blond is——”
Like a cannon ball Epworth shot across the chamber, and landed in front of Queen Carza.
“Call them off!” he hissed, seizing the queen by the arm with a fierce, painful clutch. “Call them off, Toplinsky, or this lady is going to be hurt.”
There was need of rapid action. Urged by the pigmy officers the crickets were jumping forward directly at Billy and Joan. Billy pulled his knife, and with one sweep cut the cords around Joan’s wrists.
“Use your tear gun!” Epworth called out. “Joan, you still have it in your belt.”
Joan remembered the gun, and acted. With a single motion she swept a circle around her.
“Get my automatic,” she whispered to Billy. “This promises to be interesting. It is also in my belt.”
“Tell the queen to order them back,” Epworth again commanded.
There was no mistaking his intention. Toplinsky had previously braved the American’s gun, and he responded to the threat. The queen obeyed him, and the crickets slowly drew back as Queen Carza chirped at them. Toplinsky made a move even in the face of Epworth’s threat.