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toward them, while two brawny warriors seized Tara by either arm and two seized

Ghek, holding them facing the naked blade of the jeddak.

"Hold, just O-Tar!" cried U-Dor. "There be yet another to be judged. Let us

confront him who calls himself Turan with these his fellows before they die."

Good!" exclaimed O-Tar, pausing half way down the steps. "Fetch Turan, the

slave!"

When Turan had been brought into the chamber he was placed a little to Tara's

left and a step nearer the throne. O-Tar eyed him menacingly.

You are Turan," he asked, "friend and companion of these?"

The panthan was about to reply when Tara of Helium spoke. "I know not this

fellow," she said. "Who dares say that he be a friend and companion of the

Princess Tara of Helium?"

Turan and Ghek looked at her in surprise, but at Turan she did not look, and to

Ghek she passed a quick glance of warning, as to say: "Hold thy peace."

The panthan tried not to fathom her purpose for the head is useless when the

heart usurps its functions, and Turan knew only that the woman he loved had

denied him, and though he tried not even to think it his foolish heart urged but a

single explanation--that she refused to recognize him lest she be involved in his

difficulties.

O-Tar looked first at one and then at another of them; but none of them spoke.

Were they not captured together?" he asked of U-Dor.

No," replied the dwar. "He who is called Turan was found seeking entrance to the

city and was enticed to the pits. The following morning I discovered the other two

upon the hill beyond The Gate of Enemies."

"But they are friends and companions," said a young padwar, "for this Turan

inquired of me concerning these two, calling them by name and saying that they

were his friends."

"It is enough," stated O-Tar, "all three shall die," and he took another step

downward from the throne.

"For what shall we die?" asked Ghek. "Your people prate of the just laws of

Manator, and yet you would slay three strangers without telling them of what

crime they are accused."

124

The Chessmen of Mars