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The officer looked puzzled. The men of Mars seldom if ever lie. He scratched his

head. Then he addressed Ghek. "How long have you been here?" he asked.

Who knows better than those who placed me here and chained me to a wall?" he

returned in reply.

Saw you this warrior enter here a few minutes since?"

I saw him," replied Ghek.

And you sat there where you sit now?" continued the officer.

Look thou to my chain and tell me then where else might I sit!" cried Ghek. "Art

the people of thy city all fools?"

Three other warriors pressed behind the two in front, craning their necks to view

the prisoner while they grinned at the discomfiture of their fellow. The officer

scowled at Ghek.

"Thy tongue is as venomous as that of the she-banth O-Tar sent to The Towers of

Jetan," he said.

"You speak of the young woman who was captured with me?" asked Ghek, his

expressionless monotone and face revealing naught of the interest he felt.

"I speak of her," replied the dwar, and then turning to the warrior who had

summoned him: "return to thy quarters and remain there until the next games.

Perhaps by that time thy eyes may have learned not to deceive thee."

The fellow cast a venomous glance at Ghek and turned away. The officer shook

his head. "I do not understand it," he muttered. "Always has U-Van been a true

and dependable warrior. Could it be--?" he glanced piercingly at Ghek. "Thou hast

a strange head that misfits thy body, fellow," he cried. "Our legends tell us of

those ancient creatures that placed hallucinations upon the mind of their fellows.

If thou be such then maybe U-Van suffered from thy forbidden powers. If thou be

such O-Tar will know well how to deal with thee." He wheeled about and

motioned his warriors to follow him.

Wait!" cried Ghek. "Unless I am to be starved, send me food."

You have had food," replied the warrior.

Am I to be fed but once a day?" asked Ghek. "I require food oftener than that.

Send me food."

106

The Chessmen of Mars