They resumed their march toward the palace. His ears keenly alert for sounds of pursuit, Robert, too, fancied several times that he heard cautious footsteps following in the distance; but he finally concluded that what he heard was nothing more than the countless rustling echoes from their own footsteps. At last they reached a winding stairway. Up this they followed Dyarkon till it brought them to another level stretch of paving. At a command from the emperor the guard stopped and fumbled along the base of the right wall. A door in the masonry swung outward. Through this they all followed quickly, closing the door behind them. They now stood within another passage exactly like the first, but running at right angles to it. Was it imagination that caused Robert to believe he heard a scurry of footsteps along the passage they had just quit? “Did you hear?” murmured the princess, clutching Robert’s arm. He nodded. Then he was right. They had just quit the other passage in time! The little procession moved on again. Another short flight of stairs brought them to a stop before a blank wall at the end of the passage. Here Dyarkon repeated his former performances and the wall opened. A brilliant stream of sunlight burst upon them. The abrupt contrast with the dim glow of the passage all but blinded them for a few seconds. An involuntary exclamation burst from Robert’s lips. The _Sphere_ rested within fifty feet of them! They were standing inside the broad wall of the palace courtyard! Instantly his mind formed a plan of action. They would make a dash for the _Sphere_. Once safely inside they could rise quickly and observe the actions of the crowds. Then they could lay their plans at leisure. Rapidly he outlined his plan to the others, who acquiesced at once. If their pursuers had already reached the palace they had not a moment to lose. The courtyard was yet closer. Hakon was able to stand, though his wounds had left him pitifully weak. Dyarkon and the professor now assisted him while Robert hurried ahead to open the trap-door entrance into the _Sphere_. As they emerged from the wall a loud outcry greeted them. Without stopping to ascertain its source they hurried toward the _Sphere_ with all possible speed. Fortunately the trap operated readily, and a few seconds later they were all safely shut within. The outcry was now explained. Into the courtyard from the palace poured a score of nobles with drawn sabers, shouting for them to stop. Robert jerked the control over. The _Sphere_ leapt from the ground with such sudden force that all except Robert and the staunch Dyarkon were thrown to the floor. A minute later they were soaring far above the heads of their late pursuers. “Phew! Close shaves are getting to be our specialty,” exclaimed Robert, recovering his breath for the first time in many minutes. “Now for our observations and conference.” He checked the _Sphere’s_ ascent and turned to the others.