As the last of them got through the door, I gave my loosened straps one mighty pull, and the heavy leather tore. I could hear it part in the sudden silence. Again and again I strained, and at last the leather parted entirely. My right hand was free. Feverishly I tore at the other fastenings. There could be but little time left us before that bombing struck dead center and brought the whole palace down. We had to get out. I knew it quite as well as those fleeing insect men. Free at last, I rolled off the table, landed on all fours, leaped to Carna's side, and released the buckles of the straps. As she sat up, her face level with mine, she pursed her lips, and I gave her a hearty smack. As her arms went about my neck, I picked her up, raced through the doorway, along the passage, down the ramps. I was weaponless, but I had no longer any fear of the Jivros. I saw a group of them busy in a big chamber as I passed, but I raced on, spinning around the next corner, down the ramps and on ... on ... until I felt the coolness of fresh air ahead, ran out beneath the stars again, and along the shadowed street. Putting my Zoorph back on her feet, we raced toward that breach in the wall. Over our heads the great blasting explosions went on, and I saw but three of the circling disks left to the defense of the city. Outside the city wall we stopped to catch our breath, leaning against the wall in the shadow. Carna said, musingly: "It is all over for the ancient Empire of the Jivros, if help does not come for them tonight. For, now that they are seen to be so helpless without their slaves and their fighting men, the news will spread. Planet after planet will rise against them. This is their finish!" "They expected to conquer earth, Carna. They could never have done it. For a little while, perhaps, but not for long." "They might have! They are like ants; they have a highly developed pattern of activity. But when that pattern is disrupted, they are lost. They do not think--they remember." "We've got to make contact with the queen and with Genner and the Croen. We will be left out of things." I was wondering what Carna's future plans were. "You are interested in the beautiful sister of the Prince?" asked Carna. "You are interested in the so handsome Prince?" I answered in the same tone of voice. "Of course, what woman would not be! But I am more interested in you, for I fell in love with you. But I can fall out again, and maybe--who knows...." she laughed. "What's more to the point, Carna, is she interested in me?" "I could tell you," said Carna, her eyes mysterious on my own, luminous and huge in the darkness. "Well, perhaps you had better tell me, then." "Why? I love you!" "You mean she _is_ interested in me!"