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"The tower is but a short distance now," cried Ghek. "Make haste while yet you

may, and if we can barricade it until the sun rises we may yet escape."

We shall need no barricades for we shall not linger in the tower," replied Gahan,

moving more rapidly as he realized from the volume of sound behind them the

great number of their pursuers.

"But we may not go further than the tower tonight," insisted Ghek. "Beyond the

tower await the banths and certain death."

Gahan smiled. "Fear not the banths," he assured them. "Can we but reach the

enclosure a little ahead of our pursuers we have naught to fear from any evil

power within this accursed valley."

Ghek made no reply, nor did his expressionless face denote either belief or

skepticism. The girl looked into the face of the man questioningly. She did not

understand.

"Your flier," he said. "It is moored before the tower."

Her face lighted with pleasure and relief. "You found it!" she exclaimed. "What

fortune!"

"It was fortune indeed," he replied. "Since it not only told that you were a prisoner

here; but it saved me from the banths as I was crossing the valley from the hills

to this tower into which I saw them take you this afternoon after your brave

attempt at escape."

How did you know it was I?" she asked, her puzzled brows scanning his face as

though she sought to recall from past memories some scene in which he figured.

Who is there but knows of the loss of the Princess Tara of Helium?" he replied.

And when I saw the device upon your flier I knew at once, though I had not

known when I saw you among them in the fields a short time earlier. Too great

was the distance for me to make certain whether the captive was man or woman.

Had chance not divulged the hiding place of your flier I had gone my way, Tara of

Helium. I shudder to think how close was the chance at that. But for the

momentary shining of the sun upon the emblazoned device on the prow of your

craft, I had passed on unknowing."

The girl shuddered. "The Gods sent you," she whispered reverently.

"The Gods sent me, Tara of Helium," he replied.

But I do not recognize you," she said. "I have tried to recall you, but I have failed.

Your name, what may it be?"

The Chessmen of Mars