The Lost World of Time by Edmond Hamilton

Author:Edmond Hamilton [Hamilton, Edmond]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
ISBN: 9781610818377
Publisher: Radio Archives
Published: 2012-09-05T07:00:00+00:00

SUCH an accent of utter truth rang in Captain Future’s solemn words that, despite themselves, the feasters were held in a trance of silence and awe.

“I do not like such gloomy visions!” the king suddenly snarled. “Be gone, conjurer.”

Curt bowed, picked up Oog and backed respectfully from the banquet hall. He heard nervous gaiety break out again among the feasters.

“You’re lucky the king didn’t have you flogged for conjuring up such a nightmare!” snapped the chamberlain. “Best not linger here, man.”

Captain Future went through the corridors toward the front of the palace. No one appeared to be following him. When he saw a flight of stairs leading downward, he quickly darted into them. He found himself in a maze of dusky, ill-lit stone passages underneath the palace. The dungeon in which Otho and Ahla were confined must be down here somewhere. But where?

Curt had an inspiration. He put Oog down on the floor.

“Find Otho,” he whispered.

Instantly Oog started down a passageway, hurrying on his fat little legs. The creature sensed Otho’s presence, Curt knew. He followed it. A sharp voice suddenly spoke behind him.

“What are you doing here?”

Curt whirled. The captain of guards who had brought him to the palace was frowning suspiciously. He held a Martian gas gun trained on Captain Future.

“My pet got away from me,” Curt explained. “He’s somewhere down here. I must find him. My tricks with him are half my livelihood.”

“I’ll help you find him. Outsiders aren’t permitted in this part of the palace.”

They hastened after Oog, who was running down stone steps to a still lower lever. Emerging into a shadowy corridor below, Curt perceived that Oog was sniffing and scratching at a heavy locked door, in front of which two Martian guards were stationed. Captain Future realized instantly that Otho and Ahla must be behind that door. He quickly decided upon a desperate plan.

“Ah, there he is!” he exclaimed with pretended relief.

Hurrying to the door, he bent as though to pick up Oog. But his hand grasped the proton pistol inside his jacket and pressed the intensity ratchet back. He had to overcome these Martians, but he couldn’t kill them in cold blood. He straightened, the proton pistol in his hand, triggering with blurring speed. The pale ray of the weapon flew like a lightning bolt, hitting the three Martians in quick succession with a beam reduced to stunning force. The three men sank unconscious.

Curt tried the door. It was locked. A search of the stunned guards showed that none of them had the key.

“Otho!” he called softly.

There was no sound from inside. The door was too heavy and close-fitting to allow sound to penetrate. Curt hastily jammed his proton pistol back into his jacket and took from his belt a tiny tubelike instrument. At that moment came a sharp cry of alarm from back in the corridor.

“He seeks to free the hostages. Kill him!”

Curt spun around. Two Martian officers had entered the corridor, apparently on inspection. They had already leveled their gas guns.

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