"Yes. We got back all right, Hemmy--a miracle. They've still got you prisoner?" "Yes.... Keith--you're trying to dodge out of the tunnel, aren't you?" * * * * * Wells smiled bitterly, and as he paused to frame an answer Bowman spoke again. "I want you to blow up this submarine, Keith," he said quickly. "A favor to me." He cut Wells short when the commander started to interrupt. "Wait! Let me finish," he pleaded. "I want to explain. I'd been hoping--but never mind that.... Keith, a while ago I managed to work loose. I lost my head completely and tackled these devils. It was a foolish thing to do; they overcame me, naturally. But, in the struggle, they tore my sea-suit." "What!" "Oh, just a tiny tear, or I wouldn't have lasted till now. But a leak all the same--in the right leg. Since then I've been gripping the edges of the fabric as tightly as I can--but I couldn't keep the water inside this ship from seeping through. It came in slowly at first, then faster as my hands grew numb. It's up to my neck now, Keith ... and--it won't be long! I've just a few minutes left...." The faint words tapered into silence. "No!" roared Keith in a great rush of emotion. But Hemmy's eager voice came right back: "Oh yes, you must! It would be a mercy to kill me, Keith." There were tears in the commander's eyes. "Are you sure, Hemmy?" he asked. "Are you sure?" "Oh, yes. It would be a mercy." Wells' lips formed a straight grim line. His words squeezed through it tightly. "All right, Hemmy. Thanks. Thanks. I--I'll go after them now, old man. I'll try and keep in touch with you through the duel, but I--I can't promise--" He could almost see Hemingway Bowman give his old familiar smile as he answered: "Then so long, Keith!" * * * * * Commander Keith Wells studied the teleview screen. The men were half afraid to look at his strained blanched face. Repeatedly the violet beam speared through the water, reaching for the _NX-1's_ bow. "Turn ship. Line up for stern torpedoes," the commander ordered harshly. He realized he could not hold his submarine steady to obtain a perfect sight, for the heat ray needed only thirty seconds to melt through their shell. He would have to swing the ship slowly about; and, as the shape of the enemy crossed the hair-lines on the range-finder, unleash his torpedoes and gamble on hitting the moving target. The _NX-1_ swung around, always maintaining a slight forward motion and zigzagging constantly to nullify the heat beam. Wells watched the range-finder closely. The octopi ship slanted downwards, the deadly violet ray stabbing from her bow. Slowly the black dot that represented her appeared on the dial, and slowly it dropped towards the crossed lines that showed the perfect firing point.