Rex wiped blood from his face and advanced like a great cat. "What are
you doing with these people?"
Tommy rushed forward. "It's all right, Rex. This is our friend. The
old man is the Lord of the North Hemisphere. Maxis is trying to save
his life. This is Helen Spencer. They were going to kill her."
Maxis had again taken Fanton in his arms. "We have no time to discuss
these things. Find a gun on one of those bodies and follow."
He moved swiftly down the corridor. Tommy and Helen Spencer followed,
but Rex strode forward until he was abreast of the Martian. "Where are
we going?" There was suspicion and hostility in his voice--as though he
suspected a trick.
"I can't go into detail," Maxis said, "but believe me, our chances of
survival lie in reaching a ray fountain we call the Place of Eternal
Strength. The Emperor's life is at stake and ours also."
As though on cue, two guards appeared from a cross-corridor. Grinning
mirthlessly, Rex turned the gun on them. It spat forth a crackling
ray that cut them in the middle and brought the upper halves of their
bodies toppling to the floor.
"Now lead the way," Rex said.
He killed four more guards before they arrived at the Place of Eternal
Strength, shooting them in the back without compunction as he stalked
ahead of Rex, clearing the way.
Upon arrival at their destination, Tommy cried, "Why this is the place
where my arm was healed. I had a wound and then it was gone!"
* * * * *
Maxis laid the body of Fanton on a marble couch under the singing
colored rays. "Even greater miracles are achieved here," he said. "It
heals all ills--even old age. If a spark of life remains in a body, the
fountain greatens and strengthens it."