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other thousands of prisoners who do the bidding of their stern
masters in Kadabra。
Thuvan Dihn and I discussed our plans as we sat together among
our sleeping silks and furs that night in the midst of the hundreds
of yellow men who occupied the apartment with us。 We spoke in low
whispers； but； as that is only what courtesy demands in a public
sleeping place； we roused no suspicion。
At last； determining that all must be but idle speculation until
after we had had a chance to explore the city and attempt to put
into execution the plan Talu had suggested； we bade each other
good night and turned to sleep。
After breakfasting the following morning we set out to see Kadabra；
and as； through the generosity of the prince of Marentina； we were
well supplied with the funds current in Okar we purchased a handsome
ground flier。 Having learned to drive them while in Marentina；
we spent a delightful and profitable day exploring the city；
and late in the afternoon at the hour Talu told us we would
find government officials in their offices； we stopped before
a magnificent building on the plaza opposite the royal
grounds and the palace。
Here we walked boldly in past the armed guard at the door； to
be met by a red slave within who asked our wishes。
〃Tell Sorav； your master； that two warriors from Illall wish
to take service in the palace guard；〃 I said。
Sorav； Talu had told us； was the commander of the forces of
the palace； and as men from the further cities of Okarand
especially Illallwere less likely to be tainted with the germ of
intrigue which had for years infected the household of Salensus Oll；
he was sure that we would be welcomed and few questions asked us。
He had primed us with such general information as he thought would be
necessary for us to pass muster before Sorav； after which we would
have to undergo a further examination before Salensus Oll that he
might determine our physical fitness and our ability as warriors。
The little experience we had had with the strange hooked sword
of the yellow man and his cuplike shield made it seem rather
unlikely that either of us could pass this final test； but there
was the chance that we might be quartered in the palace of Salensus
Oll for several days after being accepted by Sorav before the
Jeddak of Jeddaks would find time to put us to the final test。
After a wait of several minutes in an ante…chamber we were summoned
into the private office of Sorav； where we were courteously greeted
by this ferocious…appearing； black…bearded officer。 He asked us our
names and stations in our own city； and having received replies that
were evidently satisfactory to him； he put certain questions to us
that Talu had foreseen and prepared us for。
The interview could not have lasted over ten minutes when
Sorav summoned an aid whom he instructed to record us properly；
and then escort us to the quarters in the palace which are set
aside for aspirants to membership in the palace guard。
The aid took us to his own office first； where he measured
and weighed and photographed us simultaneously with a machine
ingeniously devised for that purpose； five copies being
instantly reproduced in five different offices of the government；
two of which are located in other cities miles distant。
Then he led us through the palace grounds to the main guardroom
of the palace； there turning us over to the officer in charge。
This individual again questioned us briefly； and finally
despatched a soldier to guide us to our quarters。 These we found
located upon the second floor of the palace in a semi…detached
tower at the rear of the edifice。
When we asked our guide why we were quartered so far from the
guardroom he replied that the custom of the older members of the
guard of picking quarrels with aspirants to try their metal had
resulted in so many deaths that it was found difficult to maintain
the guard at its full strength while this custom prevailed。
Salensus Oll had； therefore； set apart these quarters for aspirants；
and here they were securely locked against the danger of attack
by members of the guard。
This unwelcome information put a sudden check to all our well…
laid plans； for it meant that we should virtually be prisoners in
the palace of Salensus Oll until the time that he should see fit
to give us the final examination for efficiency。
As it was this interval upon which we had banked to accomplish
so much in our search for Dejah Thoris and Thuvia of Ptarth； our
chagrin was unbounded when we heard the great lock click behind our
guide as he had quitted us after ushering us into the chambers we
were to occupy。
With a wry face I turned to Thuvan Dihn。 My companion but shook
his head disconsolately and walked to one of the windows upon
the far side of the apartment。
Scarcely had he gazed beyond them than he called to me in a
tone of suppressed excitement and surprise。 In an instant I
was by his side。
〃Look！〃 said Thuvan Dihn； pointing toward the courtyard below。
As my eyes followed the direction indicated I saw two women
pacing back and forth in an enclosed garden。
At the same moment I recognized themthey were Dejah Thoris
and Thuvia of Ptarth！
There were they whom I had trailed from one pole to another；
the length of a world。 Only ten feet of space and a few metal bars
separated me from them。
With a cry I attracted their attention； and as Dejah Thoris
looked up full into my eyes I made the sign of love that the
men of Barsoom make to their women。
To my astonishment and horror her head went high； and as a
look of utter contempt touched her finely chiseled features she
turned her back full upon me。 My body is covered with the scars of
a thousand conflicts； but never in all my long life have I suffered
such anguish from a wound； for this time the steel of a woman's
look had entered my heart。
With a groan I turned away and buried my face in my arms。 I
heard Thuvan Dihn call aloud to Thuvia； but an instant later his
exclamation of surprise betokened that he； too； had been repulsed
by his own daughter。
〃They will not even listen；〃 he cried to me。 〃They have put
their hands over their ears and walked to the farther end of the
garden。 Ever heard you of such mad work； John Carter？ The two
must be bewitched。〃
Presently I mustered the courage to return to the window； for
even though she spurned me I loved her； and could not keep my eyes
from feasting upon her divine face and figure； but when she saw me
looking she again turned away。
I was at my wit's end to account for her strange actions； and
that Thuvia； too； had turned against her father seemed incredible。
Could it be that my incomparable princess still clung to the
hideous faith from which I had rescued her world？ Could it be that
she looked upon me with loathing and contempt because I had
returned from the Valley Dor； or because I had desecrated the
temples and persons of the Holy Therns？
To naught else could I ascribe her strange deportment； yet it
seemed far from possible that such could be the case； for the love
of Dejah Thoris for John Carter had been a great and wondrous love
far above racial distinctions； creed； or religion。
As I gazed ruefully at the back of her haughty； royal head a
gate at the opposite end of the garden opened and a man entered。
As he did so he turned and slipped something into the hand of the
yellow guardsman beyond the gate； nor was the distance too great
that I might not see that money had passed between them。
Instantly I knew that this newcomer had bribed his way within
the garden。 Then he turned in the direction of the two women；
and I saw that he was none other than Thurid； the black dator
of the First Born。
He approached quite close to them before he spoke； and as they
turned at the sound of his voice I saw Dejah Thoris shrink from him。
There was a nasty leer upon his face as he stepped close to her and
spoke again。 I could not hear his words； but her answer came clearly。
〃The granddaughter of Tardos Mors can always die；〃 she said；
〃but she could never live at the price you name。〃
Then I saw the black scoundrel go upon his knees beside her；
fairly groveling in the dirt； pleading with her。 Only part of what
he said came to me； for though he was evidently laboring under the
stress of passion and excitement； it was equally apparent that he
did not dare raise his voice for fear of detection。
〃I would save you from Matai Shang；〃 I heard him say。 〃You know
the fate that awaits you at his hands。 Would you not choose
me rather than the other？〃
〃I would choose neither；〃 replied Dejah Thoris； 〃even were I
free to choose； as you know well I am not。〃
〃You ARE free！〃 he cried。 〃John Carter； Prince of Helium； is dead。〃
〃I know better