"They're all dead," Rex replied. "When we were here before I
noticed that none of them moved nor spoke. This is the work of a
mad-man--Pandek. This is his joke. He rules all alone."
Maxis said, "You will have to try and escape, my Lord. You must get to
the Terrans and tell your story."
Fanton considered. "If I run like a coward, thousands of loyal Martians
will die. Their blood will be on my hands."
"That's not true," Rex said, sharply.
Further talk was interrupted by the sound of men approaching at a run.
Fanton turned and pointed. "Behind that pillar! There is a small door
that leads to an observatory platform above the square. Only my father
knew of the stairway behind the wall."
Fanton pressed a carved leaf in a decoration on the pillar and a small
section of the seemingly unbroken wall moved inward. Fanton entered and
the rest followed with Rex and Maxis and the new recruit bringing up
the rear.