It was a matter
of less than a week.
Things were coming to a climax; Chick needed no lynx's eye to see
that the die had been cast between the Bars and the Rhamdas. Soon
the Senestro must make a bold move, or else release the professor.
Chick had not long to wait. It came one evening. Once again he
found himself in the June Bug, accompanied by the Geos, the Jan
Lucar, and--the little Aradna herself. Their departure was swift
and secret.
This time Watson was not worried over height, or any other
sensation of flight. The doctor's safety alone was of moment. He
said to the Rhamda:
"Are we alone? Where is the Bar MacPherson?"
"He is somewhere near; we are not alone, my lord. Several other
machines are flying nearby also; they carry many of the Rhamdas
and the crimson guard of the queen. The MacPherson will arrive
first. We are going straight to the Palace of Light, my lord."
"Are we to storm the place?" thinking of the fight MacPherson had
predicted.
"Yes, my lord. Many shall die; but it cannot be helped. We must
free the Jarados, although we commit sacrilege."
"But--the Senestro?"
"That depends, my lord. We know not just what may be done." He
gave no explanation.
They had climbed to a tremendous height. The indicator showed that
they were bearing east. The darkness was modified only by the
faint glow from that star-dusted sky. Looking down, Chick could
see nothing whatever.
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