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life of Gahan and Tara but the welfare, perhaps the whole future, of Gathol. And
so he hastened them onward through the musty corridors of the old palace where
the dust of ages lay undisturbed upon the marble tiles. Now and again he tried a
door until he found one that was unlocked. Opening it he ushered them into a
chamber, heavy with dust. Crumbling silks and furs adorned the walls, with
ancient weapons, and great paintings whose colors were toned by age to
wondrous softness.
"
This be as good as any place," he said. "No one comes here. Never have I been
here before, so I know no more of the other chambers than you; but this one, at
least, I can find again when I bring you food and drink. O-Mai the Cruel occupied
this portion of the palace during his reign, five thousand years before O-Tar. In
one of these apartments he was found dead, his face contorted in an expression
of fear so horrible that it drove to madness those who looked upon it; yet there
was no mark of violence upon him. Since then the quarters of O-Mai have been
shunned for the legends have it that the ghosts of Corphals pursue the spirit of
the wicked Jeddak nightly through these chambers, shrieking and moaning as
they go. But," he added, as though to reassure himself as well as his companions,
"such things may not be countenanced by the culture of Gathol or Helium."
Gahan laughed. "And if all who looked upon him were driven mad, who then was
there to perform the last rites or prepare the body of the Jeddak for them?"
"There was none," replied Tasor. "Where they found him they left him and there to
this very day his mouldering bones lie hid in some forgotten chamber of this
forbidden suite."
Tasor left them then assuring them that he would seek the first opportunity to
speak with A-Kor, and upon the following day he would bring them food and
drink.*
*
Those who have read John Carter's description of the Green Martians in A
Princess of Mars will recall that these strange people could exist for considerable
periods of time without food or water, and to a lesser degree is the same true of
all Martians.
After Tasor had gone Tara turned to Gahan and approaching laid a hand upon
his arm. "So swiftly have events transpired since I recognized you beneath your
disguise," she said, "that I have had no opportunity to assure you of my gratitude
and the high esteem that your valor has won for you in my consideration. Let me
now acknowledge my indebtedness; and if promises be not vain from one whose
life and liberty are in grave jeopardy, accept my assurance of the great reward
that awaits you at the hand of my father in Helium."
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