So, at last, came Ramey and Lake to their destination. And reaching there, they experienced the greatest surprise of their entire, hazardous journey. For the doors of Ravana's quarters, which they had fully expected would be guarded by not one man but a whole detachment, were not only without guard--but half ajar! Ramey said exultantly, "Our army must have him in a dither! He's gone out to supervise the fight and left home-plate unguarded!" Lake said, "It looks that way, but--it's not logical. Ravana's the kind of guy who looks after his own skin when the going gets tough. If the battle were going against him, he'd be locked in here with a whole damned army at the doors to protect his precious hide. I don't like it!" Ramey chuckled. "Well, I'll be dog-goned! And all this time I thought you were Lake. Hyah, Syd!" Lake grinned. "Okay. I guess I do sound like the old gloom-monger at that. Well--let's get moving!" And cautiously they crept through the doorway into the first of a series of connecting chambers which comprised the inner sanctum of Lanka's regent. All the great courts lay silent. From afar, as if muted by granite blankets, still fitfully came to them the sound of distant fighting. But no footstep, no voice, marred the quiet of this refuge--No!--There _was_ the murmur of voices! Ramey gripped his comrade's arm, whispered: "In there! It sounds like--" Lake nodded, eyes glinting. "Yes! Sheila!" Feverishly, they crossed the last open space to the doorway beyond which they had heard the girl's voice. Revolvers drawn and ready, they inched open this ultimate barrier. As they did so, the faintly-heard drone turned into speech. Ringing defiance in Sheila's sweet, familiar tones. "No! If I were the last Earth woman left alive and your brother the last male of a thousand worlds, still would my answer be the same! I want no part of Lord Ravana!" Came the voice of another, a slow, throbbing voice Ramey Winters knew only too well. It was a voice which at once cajoled and taunted. "Because there is--another, O Lady Sheilacita?" "Perhaps." "But if this one were to turn away from thee, and seek his pleasure in another? Say, for example--" In his mind's eye Ramey, though those who spoke were still invisible to him because of a heavy arras veiling the half-open doorway, could envision the languorous lids of the Lady Rakshasi drooping with heavy suggestion--"for example, myself? Then would your faithfulness waver?" Sheila's answer was steadfast, unshaken, scornful. "You speak of impossibilities, woman of Videlia." "Okay!" Ramey nudged Lake. "_Now!_" And he brushed aside the drape, slipped forward into the retiring chamber where conversed the two women. "Well spoken, Sheila! Maybe her Ladyship will wise up to the fact that Earthmen aren't bought and sold with promises--after a while! Don't move!" * * * * * He rapped this last to the Lady Rakshasi as, amber cheeks crimsoning she stirred to rise.