head; another struck him on the chest, and all at once he
realized that he was bruised all over from where other stones had been
hitting him. He looked across to the opposite wall of the amphitheater.
Through the tunnel entrance there he saw that the stream of little
people was flowing the other way now. They were trying to get out,
instead of pouring in.

The Big Business Man waved his arms. "They're running away--look," he
shouted. "They're running--over there--come on." He dashed forward, and,
followed by his companions, redoubled his efforts.

The crowd wavered; the shouting grew less; those further away began
running back.

Then suddenly a shrill cry arose--just a single little voice it was at
first. After a moment others took it up, and still others, until it
sounded from every side--three Oroid words repeated over and over.

The Chemist abruptly stopped fighting. "It's done," he shouted. "Thank
God it's over."

The cry continued. The little figures had ceased attacking now and were
struggling in a frenzy to get through the tunnels.

"No more," shouted the Chemist. "They're going. See them going? Stop."

His companions stood by his side, panting and weak from loss of blood.
The Chemist tried to smile. His face was livid; he swayed unsteadily on
his feet. "No more," he repeated. "It's over. Thank God, it's over!"

Meanwhile the Very Young Man, lying on the floor with Aura sitting
beside him, revived a little. He tried to sit up after a few moments,
but the girl pulled him down.

"But I got to go--give 'em hell," he protested weakly. His head was
still confused; he only knew he should be back, fighting beside his
friends.

"Not yet," Aura said gently. "There is no need--yet. When there is, you
may trust me, Jack; I shall say it."

The Very Young Man closed his eyes. The blurred, iridescent outlines of
the rocks confused him; his head was ringing. The girl put an arm under
his neck. He found one of her hands, and held it tightly. For a moment
he lay silent. Then his head seemed to clear a little; he opened his
eyes.

"What are they doing now, Aura?" he asked.

"It is no different," the girl answered softly. "So terrible a thing--so
terrible----" she finished almost to herself.

"I'll wait--just a minute more," he murmured and closed his eyes again.

He held the girl's hand tighter. He seemed to be floating away, and her
hand steadied him. The sounds of the fighting sounded very distant
now--all bl