"Not so strange," broke in the general with self-satisfaction, "when you consider that the entire area is bristling with the latest in our weapons. Even a machine has better sense than that." "I wondered why your soldiers had so thoroughly ripped apart my grounds," commented Stone bitterly. The General's face blackened as he sputtered, "This has gone far...." There was a loud booming thud and the lights slowly flickered, leaving the room lighted only by the dim light of the fast-fading day. Almost immediately a deep-throated alarm horn began its steady "Boop-boop-boop," summoning all off-duty guards to their emergency attack stations. "Everyone stay right here," ordered the general briskly, hurrying towards the newly installed battle-phone. Brief queries and orders were quickly barked into the mouth-piece; much as he disliked the man, Don had to admire his brisk efficiency. * * * * * The whistle of jets overhead drowned out all other sounds but still there was no indication of fighting, either on the ground or in the air. General Adams turned from the battle-phone, darkly frowning. "The all-clear signal will be given shortly; the alarm was caused by a blast from within the power room and my intelligence reports that it seems to have been caused by someone inside, and not by outside attack." "Very strange," mused the Under-Secretary. "Wait!" he snapped, jumping to his feet. "The fuel formula--they'd be after that, naturally!" Followed by a small group of soldiers, they were all soon standing before the open door of the inner room, light shining brightly from within but no hum of the force field. "But that's impossible!" exclaimed the old scientist. "Even after the power supply failed?" asked the Under-Secretary. "Naturally. I forsaw long ago that if anyone were to try to enter, their first act would be to destroy the main power plant. So that eventuality was provided for by a small auxiliary designed to go into operation upon the failure of the main plant." He pointed to the lights burning inside. "Look, there's still power." A quick examination disclosed that the formula had been taken. "How long would it take to manufacture a sufficient quantity for space travel?" asked the Under-Secretary. "A week, ten days perhaps. The ingredients are relatively simple and easily obtained." "A clamp has been set around the entire area with orders to shoot anyone leaving," the general informed them sourly. "Although I think that everything was arranged from the inside." "Explain yourself, General," ordered the grim-faced Under-Secretary. "Well, even though I was never informed in detail concerning the safeguards surrounding this inner sanctum--" he snapped the last two words, "at least I could see that it would require someone with a special knowledge to enter. Correct?" The last was directed at Stone.