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one of the deserted cities of ancient Mars. It was Torquas, but she did not know

it. Had she, she might readily have been forgiven for abandoning the last vestige

of hope, for to the people of Helium Torquas seems as remote as do the South Sea

Islands to us. And still the tempest, its fury unabated, bore her on.

All that night she hurtled through the dark beneath the clouds, or rose to race

through the moonlit void beneath the glory of Barsoom's two satellites. She was

cold and hungry and altogether miserable, but her brave little spirit refused to

admit that her plight was hopeless even though reason proclaimed the truth. Her

reply to reason, sometime spoken aloud in sudden defiance, recalled the Spartan

stubbornness of her sire in the face of certain annihilation: "I still live!"

That morning there had been an early visitor at the palace of The Warlord. It was

Gahan, Jed of Gathol. He had arrived shortly after the absence of Tara of Helium

had been noted, and in the excitement he had remained unannounced until John

Carter had happened upon him in the great reception corridor of the palace as

The Warlord was hurrying out to arrange for the dispatch of ships in search of his

daughter.

Gahan read the concern upon the face of The Warlord. "Forgive me if I intrude,

John Carter," he said. "I but came to ask the indulgence of another day since it

would be fool-hardy to attempt to navigate a ship in such a storm."

Remain, Gahan, a welcome guest until you choose to leave us," replied The

Warlord; "but you must forgive any seeming inattention upon the part of Helium

until my daughter is restored to us."

You daughter! Restored! What do you mean?" exclaimed the Gatholian. "I do not

understand."

"She is gone, together with her light flier. That is all we know. We can only

assume that she decided to fly before the morning meal and was caught in the

clutches of the tempest. You will pardon me, Gahan, if I leave you abruptly--I am

arranging to send ships in search of her;" but Gahan, Jed of Gathol, was already

speeding in the direction of the palace gate. There he leaped upon a waiting thoat

and followed by two warriors in the metal of Gathol, he dashed through the

avenues of Helium toward the palace that had been set aside for his

entertainment.

The Chessmen of Mars