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"They do," Vancha said, "but they want to play with us first"
"Du her knife close to her chest, turning slowly to survey the whole of the cavern, as though she expected demons to dart from the walls and floor
"You s
"Petrol," I nodded "It’s co froested, and we quickly withdreithout need of further pro
We examined the rope tethered to the stake It was thickly woven and taut, professionally tied Vancha tested it by crawling a fewhihtful when he returned "It’s strong," he said "I think it would support all of us at the same time But on’t chance it We’ll cross one at a tih the tunnel"
"What about the platfored to - collapse e are on it"
Vancha nodded "When I get up, I’ll hurry to the opening across the plank Don’t coht for the tunnel The saoes for the rest of you If they take the platfor, only one of us will die"
"Great," the Chief Inspector snorted "So I’ve a one infive chance of ood odds," Vancha said "Much better than those we’ll be facing when the vampaneze make their rabbed hold of the rope, shi over on to his back, so he was hanging upside-down He started across, hand over hand, foot over foot The rope cut up at a steep angle, but the Prince was strong and his pace didn’t falter
He was al over the pit of deadly stakes, when a figure appeared in the ess spotted it first "Hey!" she shouted, raising a hand to point "Someone’s up there!"
Our eyes - and Vancha’s - snapped to the tunnel entrance The light was poor, and it was i or small, male or female Then it stepped forward on to the plank and thewith hatred
"Howdy, boys!" the half-va across the plank, not in the least bit afraid of falling and i himself on the stakes beneath "Find your way here OK? I was expecting you ages ago Thought youa search party to send after you"
Steve reached the platfor which ran around the sides He peered down at Vancha and beaain, Mr March," he chuckled, waving sarcastically
Vancha snarled like an ani faster than before Steve watched, amused, then reached into a pocket, produced a match and held it up for our eyes to fix on He winked, bent and struck the match on the floor of the platform He cupped it close to his face a moment, while it flared into life, then casually tossed it over the railing - into the petrol-soaked pit
There was an explosive roar which almost burst e, fiery fingers They billowed over the edges of the platforh the red and yelloall of fire The flames scorched the roof and wall to the rear - and co the Prince whole in the blink of a flame-filled eye