Challenge of Antares

Chapter twenty

Chapter twentyFor what seemed like half a lifetime I stood there like a loon. The unholy red glare broadened as the case opened and swooped in the teeth of the wind. My eyes squinted shut. Move, man, move! I screamed at myself.

Spinning about, mouth open, with half-closed eyes, I ran madly into the cave. Three times I stumbled and crashed into the walls. Three times I recovered and tore on.

Gasping for air I hurled myself into the angle. Partagus made gargling groans beneath the gag. He saw my face. At once, he understood what terrible deed I had done.

His eyes opened to glare madly upon me. His face twisted into an expression of absolute unutterable horror. The gag vibrated to his panic shrieking, like a wild beast trapped far below ground.

Knowing exactly what was going to happen out