By their acts, they have issued a
definitechallenge; and that I cannot permit to go unnoticed.
Well, you come along with me; I am going there
tonight.
He shook his head, evidentlyin an effort to clear
it. I had set out upon one of these pathswith the intention of marrying Sanoma Tora
at the end. By your metal, I see that you are a Zodangan, he said, as we walkedfrom
the room to the elevators. Doubtless he wondered what had happened, but I donot
think that he guessed the truth. I landed squarely upon my feet upon the
narrowwalkway. A good way to commit suicide, I suggested. As I struck the deck Tul
Axtar heard me and wheeling from the controlsto face me, he recognized me. No, no,
sobbed Tavia, Take me, I am yours; but I am only a slavegirl. Instantly I sprang to
Tavias side and turned her over.
This consisted of a secret organization of
super-assassins. In this way hecould see to navigate the ship and my plan was
blocked. This time I was neithersilent nor gentle.
We think that wewant to forget the tragedies of
life, but we do not.
His search of the palace, however, had revealed the
fact that Phor Takwas missing.
Here was an incredible piece of good
fortune.
The voice was familiar, but I could not definitely
place it. No, no, sobbed Tavia, Take me, I am yours; but I am only a slavegirl. I
want to go to the office ofthe public house in this building. The one he directed
you to is not as good as the one thatI go to.
Sprawled in the adjoiningspace was a shifty-eyed
individual with an evil face.
Already the Jhama was in motionagain as I laid my
hand upon the hatch cover. Rapas approached a small doorway hidden in an angle of a
buttress.
For a long time John Carter sat in silence staring
at the floor. Otherwise, however, we seemed as far fromour goal as when we first
started.
It was almost asthough what he had said had sobered
him.
A low laugh came from the adjoining room. It had
come following his statement that he hadother plans. As you find a grim pleasure in
reading about them, so I find agrim pleasure in thinking about them. Rapas was sober
now, nor did he take but a single drink with his meal. From my bunk, I cannot
seedirectly into the front room. In Martian cities, public houses such as this are
merely places tosleep.
My name is Vandor, I told him, giving him the alias
I had selectedfor this adventure. Something must be done to rectifymy
position.
Here was an incredible piece of good
fortune.
I heaved vigorously and the hatch opened.