t Clyone is able to carry on with the plans he conceived;
able, but no longer willing. Clyone is abdicating. It but remains for
you, Carson, to put a stop to this thing they are doing down there at
the great rocket-tube. You can do it, I am certain. Go now; and think
not too badly of Clyone when you have gone. Farewell."

With a quick motion she raised her fingers to her lips, then tossed a
small vial crashing to the floor.

"Carson--she has taken something," Ulana stifled a hysterical sob as
she spoke. "Go to her. It is the least you can do."

Blaine caught the leopard woman in his arms and lowered her gently to
the luxurious cushions of the throne she had occupied for so long a
time, a queen in name only. Already the gold-flecked eyes were glazing
and they begged him piteously.

"Kiss me." Her lips formed the words, but no sound came.

Ulana was there, on her knees and crying. "Carson, you must," she urged
him.

The spirit of Clyone, with its great burden of evil and some little of
good, left the beautiful body as the Earth man pressed his lips to
hers. An unwonted smile, placid and content, wreathed the still
features.

The Zara was no more.

* * * * *

Stunned and shaken by what they had seen, they hurried from the chamber
of death. Blaine located the lift and they were quickly carried to the
laboratory.

Dantor was there, working with the astronomers, and Blaine drew him
aside, whispering the story in his ear in swift disjointed sentences.
The aged scientist could scarcely credit his senses.

The thrumming of the copper shell to the energy of the second
rocket-tube charge came but faintly to their ears in this place, since
the vacuum of outer space surrounded the great domed structure. But the
vibration and quakings of the satellite were transmitted to the
floorplates on which they stood. They knew that Antrid was swinging
ever outward from the mother planet.

"You must do it alone," Dantor was saying; "you and Ulana. I have no
control over these Llotta. I am here only on sufferance of Ianito, and
Ianito is no more. But they know it not. These in the dome think he is
with you now, cloaked in invisibility. The tale of the cloaks has been
broadcast. You are safe for the present and can descend to the base of
the rocket with impunity. Ianito's name is the password. And here is a
ray pistol, fully charged; two of them. He left them in his desk. Go
now, quickly."