They struck with a crash. The stout car crushed through the glittering doors of metal and glass, and before the fragments fell the four men were in the thick of short, sharp and decisive battle. Their neuros hissed venomously, spanged as they met opposing beams. And the princess, struggling through the wreckage, wept tears of rage as the coarse fabric of her clothing caught, entangled hopelessly, and held her. "Something queer!" Murray said, as they halted for breath after routing what little opposition they had encountered. "Maybe it's a trap. But what an expensive trap for somebody! Where's this broadcasting plant?" "This way!" Tuman called eagerly. "Maybe we can still save the poor fellow who turned the trick. Broadcast the secret sessions! Don't tell me that little girl isn't fit to rule!" The heavy metal doors were open, and they hurried in. But Tolto, noting that the princess had not followed, hurried out in search for her. * * * * * Sime stumbled over a body. It had been a dark, sleek, youngish man. A jagged burn on his throat told of the needle-ray. "Who's this fellow, Murray?" Murray glanced at the body. He smiled a brief smile of satisfaction. "That's Scar Balta. Got what's coming to him at last. Help me with this bird: he's still alive. Cold, though!" "Got a shot of neuro. Could this be the technie?" Sime found a fountain of water. He filled a cup, dashed it over the still face. The shock made the man's lips move. "Mellie, I did it!" he whispered. "Who's Mellie?" Sime asked. "Mellie? Seems to me the princess mentioned her name, This is her brother. He's the right guy! Take it easy, brother!" But Wasil was able to sit up. "I sure fooled him!" he gasped. "Mixed up the circuits. Scar Balta sat right here while I broadcast the secret sessions, and he was watching a lot o' haywah in the control screen. "When Wilcox got word from outside he knew he was done. He thought Scar'd double-exed him, so came here in person and gave him the needle-ray." Despite his nausea, Wasil looked happy. "Wilcox tried for me, but I dodged back of those frames. So he tried for me with the neuro. The mob was getting wild outside; there was--" He could not finish. There was an explosion that shook the building to its foundations. Tolto came running in. Sira close after him: "Joro is coming. Joro has detonated the warships. The hall guards have surrendered. The council is locked up. It can't escape!" * * * * * Events were transpiring too fast for comprehension. It was several days later, on a bench in Prince Joro's palace grounds, that Sira summed it up for Sime Hemingway. "I'm going to accept the throne!" she said. "I'm going to be a real queen. Joro has convinced me that it will be a real service to Mars. The dear old man has schemed and worked so long, so unselfishly."