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O-Tar looked long and searchingly at Tara of Helium. All the beauty that was hers

seemed suddenly to be carried to every fibre of his consciousness. She was still

garbed in the rich harness of a Black Princess of Jetan, and as O-Tar the Jeddak

gazed upon her he realized that never before had his eyes rested upon a more

perfect figure--a more beautiful face.

"She is no Corphal," he murmured to himself. "She is no Corphal and she is a

princess--a princess of Helium, and, by the golden hair of the Holy Hekkador, she

is beautiful. Take the gag from her mouth and release her hands," he commanded

aloud. "Make room for the Princess Tara of Helium at the side of O-Tar of

Manator. She shall dine as becomes a princess."

Slaves did as O-Tar bid and Tara of Helium stood with flashing eyes behind the

chair that was offered her. "Sit!" commanded O-Tar.

The girl sank into the chair. "I sit as a prisoner," she said; "not as a guest at the

board of my enemy, O-Tar of Manator."

O-Tar motioned his followers from the room. "I would speak alone with the

Princess of Helium," he said. The company and the slaves withdrew and once

more the Jeddak of Manator turned toward the girl. "O-Tar of Manator would be

your friend," he said.

Tara of Helium sat with arms folded upon her small, firm breasts, her eyes

flashing from behind narrowed lids, nor did she deign to answer his overture. O-

Tar leaned closer to her. He noted the hostility of her bearing and he recalled his

first encounter with her. She was a she-banth, but she was beautiful. She was by

far the most desirable woman that O-Tar had ever looked upon and he was

determined to possess her. He told her so.

I could take you as my slave," he said to her; "but it pleases me to make you my

wife. You shall be Jeddara of Manator. You shall have seven days in which to

prepare for the great honor that O-Tar is conferring upon you, and at this hour of

the seventh day you shall become an empress and the wife of O-Tar in the throne

room of the jeddaks of Manator." He struck a gong that stood beside him upon

the table and when a slave appeared he bade him recall the company. Slowly the

chiefs filed in and took their places at the table. Their faces were grim and

scowling, for there was still unanswered the question of their jeddak's courage. If

O-Tar had hoped they would forget he had been mistaken in his men.

O-Tar arose. "In seven days," he announced, "there will be a great feast in honor

of the new Jeddara of Manator," and he waved his hand toward Tara of Helium.

The ceremony will occur at the beginning of the seventh zode* in the throne

room. In the meantime the Princess of Helium will be cared for in the tower of the

The Chessmen of Mars