Tarrano the Conqueror

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bance which surrounded us. The sparks tore at him; burned his clothing and flesh; the shock of it gripped his heart. But he went through; crept for the balcony. It was dark out there. He would have rushed for Tarrano instead of the balcony, but as he came through the sparks he had seen that the barrier surrounding our tower was momentarily lifted. Argo had cut it off to admit Tarrano a few moments bef

urning pencil-ray swung at Georg, but missed him as he came down. Had it struck, it would have drilled him clean with its tiny hole of fire. Then Argo must have r

strike him, he lost his hold upon the tube-pipe. But he had presence of mind enough to kick him

apon from his hand. Georg sat up, and for a moment chafed his tingling, pri

park-like platform which stood at the bottom of the other tower. He had passed within sight of a few pedestrians. One of them shouted at him; another had tried mildly to stop him. A crowd on a distant terrace

ading. Lights were appearing everywhere.... The murmurs of gathering people ... excited crowds ... an absurd woman leaning down over a far-away parape

mall tower. The tower wherein the Princess Maida was confined. It was dark and silent. Black rectang

it. Yet Wolfgar had assured him the Princess Maida was prepared. He hesitated, with his finger upon the switch-button of the weapon. But he kne

gled with them in a moment were sparks also of burning wood and fibre. Smoke began to roll upward; the purple flash was gone, and dull red took its plac

rned out the connections and fired everything combustible within the tower. A terrific heat. It began to melt and burn the blenite.[10] The upper portion of the

n the shadow of a parapet. The city was now in turmoil. Alarm lights everywhere. The s

no order could come. But his heart was in his mouth

gar had told him she would appear. The barrage was gone; and in a moment s

to supply her with air. Wolfgar had smuggled the equipment in to her for just this emergency. She stood awkwar

unting flames of the tower bathed everything in red. A block of stone fell near at hand, crashing

face was pale, frightened, yet she seemed calm. Her glor

that swirled around them. Georg cut in: "He se

ed from it-slim and beautiful in the shimmering

ack by the heat of the burning tower, the smoke and the falling blocks of stone. Someone swung a pencil-ray wildly. It seared Georg like a branding-iron on the flesh of his arm as it swung past.

ey climbed down the metal frame-work of the escalator sides; down under it to where the inverted steps were passi

calator drew them downward. Above them in a moment the tramp of

which chanced at the moment to be empty of people. Down it a

upon the burning tower above. The crowd, rushing up there, left the plaza momentarily deserted. Georg and Maida crossed it at a run, scu

o was not there. They were in the open country now-Venia is small. Plantations-an agricultural region. Most of the houses were deserted, the occupants having fled into the city as refugees when threats and orders came from Washington the day before. Georg and Maida cam

barely large enough for two-a basket with a

t; she had hardly said a word throughout it all.... The helicopter mount

op us. An aero-even if we had it-I doubt if we could get pow

d. "Yes-n

f red and green and purple lights. It was silent up here in the starlight; a

nally mounted now. But their glare fell short. Georg's mind was busy with his plans. Had the helicopte

im. And suddenly he was conscious of her beauty. His heart leaped, and as he turned to her, she smiled

he said. "You know wh

is large enough for two. You'll trust yourse

"What you say we m

her, Maida. The

ngers wound themselves into the soft strands of her hair which lay upon him; and his

vol plan. It was a padded board a dozen feet long and half as wide. Released, it shot downward; a hundred feet or more, with the heavens whirli

e, side by side, with the narrow, double-banked wings beneath the line of their shoulders, and th

, then Georg opened it to a straight glide northward-rushing downward and onward through the starlight, in a wi

e slipping past; but inexorably coming upward. They were down to 5,000 feet; then Georg saw at last what he had hoped, prayed for, but almost despaired of. A beam of light to th

lored lights. A signal flash-a sharp command to Georg, but, of course, he could not answer. Then the Directo

more, and Georg and Maida were taken aboard it. The volan fluttered to the forest

t released from Tarrano's control! The Director flashed the news to Washington and to Great London. Orders came back. A score of other