over when they were
left unsupported, then decided that the paralyzing force of the disk
probably left the automatic muscular balancing movements unimpaired,
affecting only the powers of voluntary movement.

* * * * *

Then, as Zehru set him down after one of the periods of examination,
Blake noticed a new and startling change the moment his feet touched the
ground. His right leg and right arm were no longer dead!

He hurriedly glanced down at the ground at his feet, and promptly found
what seemed to be the reason for his partial freedom from the paralysis.
In setting his body down the last time Zehru had moved Blake slightly.
His right foot now rested upon a corner of the discarded topcoat lying
half-buried there in the blue-gray dust.

The heavily rubberized cloth apparently acted as an insulating sheet
that prevented the effective grounding of the paralyzing force that
streamed down through Blake's body from the overhead disk. Consequently
all portions of his body between the coat and the disk were free from
the paralysis. For a moment Blake wondered at Zehru's carelessness. Then
he realized that the insulating qualities of rubber would naturally be
unknown to a Xollarian.

Noting that Zehru was busy at the moment with his work upon Mapes, Blake
quickly grasped at the faint chance the presence of the rubberized cloth
offered him. Working with infinite slowness and caution, he edged his
right foot over an inch at a time, dragging the rest of his body with
it.

Luck was with him. Zehru continued, absorbed in his work upon Mapes. The
Xollarian's telepathic powers apparently functioned only with the aid of
the red ray, for he remained oblivious of Blake's actions. One final
cautious dragging movement, and Blake's entire body was upon the cloth,
with every muscle again vibrantly alive.

* * * * *

Blake stood there motionless, faking paralysis, while his brain raced in
an effort to figure the best use to make of his present advantage. He
was still trapped, not daring to reach even a hand beyond the protection
of the cloth underfoot. The first essential of any effort at escape
would have to be a lunge of sufficient power to take him safely beyond
the area of the disk's influence.

Blake's first thought was to hurl himself through the barrier wall upon
Zehru, trusting to sheer surprise to overwhelm the Xollarian, but he
quickly dismissed that plan. It