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"I mean just what I say," she replied. "I still live and while I live I may still find a

way. Dead, there is no hope."

Find a way to what?" he asked.

To life and liberty and mine own people," she responded.

None who enters Bantoom ever leaves," he droned.

She did not reply and after a time he spoke again. "Sing to me," he said.

It was while she was singing that four warriors came to take her to Luud. They

told Ghek that he was to remain where he was.

Why?" asked Ghek.

You have displeased Luud," replied one of the warriors.

How?" demanded Ghek.

You have demonstrated a lack of uncontaminated reasoning power. You have

permitted sentiment to influence you, thus demonstrating that you are a

defective. You know the fate of defectives."

I know the fate of defectives, but I am no defective," insisted Ghek.

You permitted the strange noises which issue from her throat to please and

soothe you, knowing well that their origin and purpose had nothing whatever to

do with logic or the powers of reason. This in itself constitutes an unimpeachable

indictment of weakness. Then, influenced doubtless by an illogical feeling of

sentiment, you permitted her to walk abroad in the fields to a place where she

was able to make an almost successful attempt to escape. Your own reasoning

power, were it not defective, would convince you that you are unfit. The natural,

and reasonable, consequence is destruction. Therefore you will be destroyed in

such a way that the example will be beneficial to all other kaldanes of the swarm

of Luud. In the meantime you will remain where you are."

"You are right," said Ghek. "I will remain here until Luud sees fit to destroy me in

the most reasonable manner."

Tara of Helium shot a look of amazement at him as they led her from the

chamber. Over her shoulder she called back to him: "Remember, Ghek, you still

live!" Then they led her along the interminable tunnels to where Luud awaited

her.

The Chessmen of Mars