"Why Helium?" asked the red youth.
"I am a prince of Helium," I replied.
He gave me a peculiar look, but said nothing further on the subject.
I wondered at the time what the significance of his expression
might be, but in the press of other matters it soon left my mind,
nor did I have occasion to think of it again until later.
"Come," I said at length, "now is as good a time as any. Let us
go."
Another moment found me at the top of the partition wall again with
the boy beside me. Unbuckling my harness I snapped it together
with a single long strap which I lowered to the waiting Xodar below.
He grasped the end and was soon sitting beside us.
"How simple," he laughed.
"The balance should be even simpler," I replied. Then I raised
myself to the top of the outer wall of the prison, just so that
I could peer over and locate the passing sentry. For a matter of
five minutes I waited and then he came in sight on his slow and
snail-like beat about the structure.
I watched him until he had made the turn at the end of the building
which carried him out of sight of the side of the prison that was
to witness our dash for freedom. The moment his form disappeared
I grasped Xodar and drew him to the top of the wall. Placing one
end of my harness strap in his hands I lowered him quickly to the
ground below. Then the boy grasped the strap and slid down to
Xodar's side.
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