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A rush of smoke and flame followed the violent opening of the

door, and Code felt himself growing giddy. A swift glance behind

showed a wall of fire where the hall had once been, and for the

first time he realized the seriousness of the task he had taken

upon himself. But there was no fear. Rather there came a sense of

gladness that a fighter feels when the battle has at last come to

close grips.

He swept the small form of Bige up into his arms and leaped to

the window that was built low in the wall and without weights. To

raise it and manipulate the catch was out of the question. With

all his strength he swung his foot against the pane squarely in

the middle. Panes and frame splintered outward, leaving the

casement intact except for a few jagged edges of glass.