adventure anyway?" was Taggert's reply when Robert told him of their quandary.
And Professor Palmer echoed him.
Without further delay the attacks were launched. Lacking any means of observation from above, the invaders were at a disadvantage in spite of their superior numbers. The separation of the spur from the main body was accomplished as planned, and a second body of Hakon's men striking at the head of the column of invaders completed their rout, killing many and taking the rest prisoners.
The arms captured were a welcome acquisition; hut the problem of feeding several thousand prisoners was a difficult one. Fortunately, a small food supply train was captured with them. They were immediately put to work throwing up earthworks and conveying heavy equipment about.
One general and several other high officers were captured. A special guard was set over these valuable hostages, for their possession would be of advantage to Hakon when terms came to be considered.
During the attack Robert had directed his forces by means of a simple smoke tube apparatus with which the Sphere was equipped, and by means of which long or short puffs of dense black smoke were ejected by manipulation of a plunger. The smoke was produced in a small oven chamber from ignited briquettes.
As the attack progressed perfectly, Robert did not utilize the terrible destructive force of the Norrensen Tube. Owing to the small reserve of petrol and consequently of electric energy depending upon it, he decided to withhold all knowledge of this weapon from their enemies until a particularly opportune time for its use presented itself. The enemy was not so considerate of him, however. Several times projectiles fired by their artillery screamed uncomfortably close past the Sphere. Fortunately these had no means of bursting, there being no explosives available on the planet.
The immediate effect of their successful attack upon the invaders was the latters' withdrawal of their left encircling spur, and an evident preparation for a concentrated frontal attack.
Having looked to all important details of preparation to resist such an attack, Robert snatched a few hours of sleep. He lay down with his clothes on, exacting the promise that he would be wakened upon the first signs of an actual attack. Pickets were posted so that the enemy could not approach closer without their knowledge. The Sphere had been brought down again and Robert and his companions rested in their quarters within the palace.
It was not till close upon dawn that Robert was aroused by Taggert's shaking him vigorously.
"Hate to do it, Bob," he was saying, as Robert sat up suddenly, "but those Wops are getting ready to raise hell again. Old Khamov has sent a note of defiance, stating that as he will shortly be in possession of Svergad the temporary shutting off of the water supply doesn't matter."
Robert was on his feet in a moment and was striding through the doorway when he became aware of a hesitant restraining hand upon his arm. He turned to see Zola at his side. She crept into his arms.
"Darling!"
"Ah, my Ro-bert, they would not let me come to you because Zola's love does not matter when everyone is so busy fighting. But I couldn't let you go away again without seeing you."
"Little ghost! You come and go like a dream. How did you get here at this time?"
"Taggert, he helped me. No one else knows but my maid."
