"That's up to you," said Valnar. "You get some sort of a conveyance, and I'll construct a small Mental Ray to blackout anyone who tries to stop us." Barlow took Valnar to the rooms he had engaged and managed to secure the apparatus Valnar declared essential. Luckily it could be made from altered radio parts, the sale of which wasn't restricted. But his own part of the task was harder. Dodson was one of the first to realize the power of transportation, and held firm control of all its phases. Public conveyances wouldn't serve their purpose because, while Barlow's passports were necessarily in order even though forged, Valnar had none. And no forger was available. They must steal either an auto or a plane--preferably, a plane. But there was no such thing as a private auto or plane, and the civic conveyances were carefully controlled. Finally Barlow had to admit defeat and return to his rooms. He went in wearily and sat down. Valnar greeted him cheerfully. "It's finished," he said, waving to the small assembly on the table. Barlow peered at it. "I failed," he admitted. "Couldn't steal one anywhere." "Then we'll get one with this," said Valnar. Barlow thought of his wearying hours of search and felt like slugging the other. But he knew that Valnar would win any scrimmage, so he regretfully discarded the idea. "Then we might as well free Laurine and the others before we take off," he suggested. Valnar's eyes glowed with interest. "Good idea!" he approved. "I was thinking that we'd need help." The city prison was a grim structure. It contained few people, but those it did swallow were seldom heard of again. Barlow felt a tightening of his muscles as they approached. Valnar was carrying the ray projector. He walked along confidently, with an unserious buoyancy like that of a person engaged in a game with children. Barlow envied him. He was well aware of what they were fighting. And the thought that possibly the projector wouldn't work, made him feel hollow. The guards at the entrance stepped forward to bar the way. Valnar's fingers switched on the projector and he swept it over the two guards. They dropped their rifles and slumped to the stone entranceway. Barlow picked up their rifles, then stared at them. They were sleeping peacefully. Valnar strode into the building, applied the ray to another man, and entered the warden's office. The warden leaped to his feet angrily. "We want the prisoners brought in yesterday," Valnar informed. "Shoot, Perkins!" cried the warden. * * * * * Barlow wheeled, rifle ready. A secretary that they hadn't noticed at the other end of the room was leveling a pistol. Barlow moved the rifle swiftly, but Valnar was the swifter and the secretary lay back in his chair and went to sleep. "The prisoners, please," Valnar insisted. "I--I can't," said the warden, sitting down weakly. "You better," Barlow advised.