Had she been unable to find a rope and a
hook?
Upon theopposite shore was the gloomy outline of
the forest. When fatigue overcame me, Ilay down and slept with my ear against the
door.
Itwas quite dark in the room; we could not see one
another.
In his left hand he carried the torch, and in
hisright he gripped a keen long sword.
Hes got her locked up; shell be killed, too. You
need not fear me, she said, I will not betray you.
Still mumbling surprisedexclamations, he started
back. It was a verysubstantial door, and it was securely fastened from the opposite
side.
From the dense shadowsjust beyond the firelight,
two blazing eyes were flaming. Perhaps herdeed had already succeeded in saving Dejah
Thoris. You think it is not likely that anyone will come here? Ul Vas is keeping her
thereuntil he is ready to destroy her. Do you know of any way by which we can escape
from this castle?
I can imagine that he doesnt feel very kindly
toward me, I agreed.
As she spoke, she came close andthrew her arms
about my neck. There is a secret doorway, known only to Ul Vas and two of his
mostfaithful slaves, she replied.
Then I recalled the two doors that I had passed in
the short corridor.
Could it be that my wild hopewas to be realized?
Those who fought against you say you arethe greatest swordsman that ever
lived.
By the crown of the Jeddak, he muttered, has the
fellow escaped? But I was imprisoned for a long time with one of the Masenas,
Ireminded her. This door she opened more quickly;and as it swung in, I saw the dark
river flowing beneath us. I know that all too well, she replied; but even in the
forest thereare men, terrible men.
The Jeddara told me, she replied; she talked about
you constantly. Yes, she said; eventually they will search every room in the
castle,but that will take a long time.
Come, I said, we must get out of here at once.