Snarling, Theseus stepped back and, lifting the lamp, scrutinized the terra cotta of the tunnel wall till he found a crack-formed ledge wide enough to hold the light. Then, returning to the bars, he seized one in both hands and heaved on it while he braced a foot against another. Still nothing happened. Again the Athenian heaved, and this time every muscle along his back and arms and legs swelled. His belly drew into heavy ridges. Veins stood out at throat and temple. For the instant, even Burke couldn't help but watch fascinated at the picture of sheer physical strength displayed. And now, ever so slowly, one of the bars began to bend ... the merest fraction ... an inch ... a hand's breadth.... Then, suddenly, with a dull metallic twang, the piece tore loose from its fitting. The sound broke Burke's spell. Convulsively, he strained at the bonds that held his own wrists. They only cut deeper into the flesh. And there was so little time.... Warily, Burke cast a sidewise glance at the revolver, still hanging at the other's waist. Then, as casually as he could manage it, he started moving closer. Now, panting with exertion, Theseus turned his attention to a second bar. This time, he had more room to maneuver. Almost from the first moment, the metal showed signs of twisting. Burke took yet another sidling step--a step that brought him within arm's reach of the Smith & Wesson. Clumsily, he poised, readying himself to spear out for the butt with both hands as one. A groan escaped Theseus as he wrenched at the reluctant bar with all his might. Little by little, the heavy metal bent. Burke snatched for the gun. Only as he did so, incredibly, the weapon wasn't there. His hands slapped Theseus' sweat-greased side instead. Simultaneously, a fist like a maul smashed him full in the face: The Athenian's harsh laughter rang in his ears. He crashed back against the sewer-pipe's wall like a doll flung aside by an angry child. Words hammered at him; Theseus' words: "I wondered when you'd try that, you outlander dog!" It was all Burke could do to keep his feet, let alone answer. * * * * * The Greek snarled, "Now's a good time to tell you the rest of it, too, rack you!" Burke tried to blink away the haze between them. "The rest of it--?" he mumbled. "That's right; the rest." His captor gloated openly now. "You didn't think I dragged you through this hell-hole just for entertainment, did you, when all I needed to do to get rid of you was hand you over to Minos?" Burke didn't answer.