Meanwhile, I was in a fit of deep despondency.  I saw Larissa often.  Wherever I went, I ran into her.

Larissa was furious when I scorned her and went to General Camarara at once. He believed her falsehoods. I was summoned before him.

"See here, Cosmos!" began the General.  "You helped that girl Alda to escape!  Now, don't deny that, senhor!  Your parole is revoked.   I'll permit you limited custody---in custody of Larissa.  It's either that or jail!"

"Then I'll take jail!" I returned without hesitation.   But, as I thought it over, I knew that they were framing my trail, and I could not escape so well from jail.

"I'll choose liberty in Larissa's custody," I added lamely at last.

Now, Larissa made herself more obnoxious than ever and at last I could stand it no longer.

I slipped on my moto-belt and prepared to flee.  But when I reached the window, I burly guard confronted me. "No, senhor," he bellowed, "this is not an exit."286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOjKVLR0Wl

Escape seemed hopeless!

Then, one morning as I looked out, I received a pleasant surprise.  

"Ole! I whistled. "No guard in sight!  This is my chance!"

But as I flashed upward past the roof, a voice startled me.  "Ola, Nick!  You weren't going anywhere without me, were you?"

"Larissa!" I muttered in shock and dismay.

Suddenly I gave my moto-belt full power.  She darted after me with a cry.

I was desperate as she reached out to seize me.  "There's only one thing to do!" I thought.  "It won't injure her, but it will put her to sleep."  So I zapped her with my paralysis gun.

But I was not free yet.  The air was rapidly filling with flying craft.

"Police ships!" I thought in alarm.  "I'm surrounded."286Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSTPtK2HF6

I blazed away with my gun at ever ship that approached.  But in the end, they hit me.

"Ole, Fidalgo!" cried one of the officers. "We have him!"

"Magnífico!" returned the other.  "Dues, what a zapper he is.  He zapped seven of us!"

I woke up behind the bars, with Larissa taunting me.