The foremost guardsmen parted, and before the grille appeared a man tall and powerful, dark of eye and beetling of brow; a personage whose innate ruthlessness and cruelty could not be disguised even by the ornate finery he wore. This was Graed Garroway, "Black" Garroway, tyrant of Earth, emperor of the System, Overlord--by force of arms--of the entire Solar Union. He smiled. But there was little mirth in his smile, and no sincerity. "Well, Morris?" he demanded. "Well?" repeated Dirk stonily. "Your time passes swiftly. Have you decided to tell your secret?" "I know one thing," said Morris, "that is no secret. My time passes swiftly, yes. But so does yours. The days of your dictatorship are numbered, Garroway. Soon the cleansing flame of righteous rebellion will rise to sweep you and every evil thing you stand for from the face of creation!" Garroway stiffened, flushing with dark anger. "You speak boldly for a doomed man, Morris. Guards, open the cell!" He scowled. "It may amuse you to learn that I did not need your information, traitor. I gave you a final chance to offer it of your own free will. But your cherished 'secret' has already been solved." "Solved!" That was Hardesty. "You mean--?" "Quiet, Neil!" warned Dirk. "He's faking!" Garroway laughed. * * * * * "Faking? You shall see in a few minutes, when I put you to death in the murderous device constructed by your one-time leader, Dr. Townsend!" "Murderous--" began Hardesty. "Please, Neil! Then you ... you found Dr. Townsend's chamber?" asked Dirk. "Yes. And experimented with it, too. We know, now, its purpose. Too bad Robert Townsend did not live to receive our congratulations. So that was your secret, eh? Your late leader succeeded in perfecting a disintegration chamber?" "Disint--" began Morris. Then he stopped abruptly. When he spoke again, his voice was defiant. "Well ... now that you know, what are you going to do about it?" Brian Shaughnessey stared at his friend miserably. "Disintegrating machine!" he choked. "Nothing but a damned theoretical gadget! Is _that_ the great invention we've been risking our lives for? Dirk--" "Do about it?" laughed Garroway negligently. "Why, I'm going to turn it to my own usage, of course. And you, my unfortunate young conspirator, will attain the distinction of being the instrument's first human victim. Come, guards! We have no more time to waste." "A moment!" interrupted Morris. "You will keep your promise? My companions go free when I die?" The Overlord nodded with mock graciousness. "Graed Garroway needs compromise with no man. But I have given my word. Yes, your companions go free." "Very well, then. I am ready."