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would be relieved after a period of four hours。 The major…
domo then left me。
The tapestries were of a strange weaving which gave the
appearance of heavy solidity from one side； but from my hiding
place I could perceive all that took place within the room as
readily as though there had been no curtain intervening。
Scarcely had I gained my post than the tapestry at the
opposite end of the chamber separated and four soldiers of
The Guard entered； surrounding a female figure。 As they
approached Than Kosis the soldiers fell to either side and
there standing before the jeddak and not ten feet from me；
her beautiful face radiant with smiles； was Dejah Thoris。
Sab Than； Prince of Zodanga； advanced to meet her； and
hand in hand they approached close to the jeddak。 Than
Kosis looked up in surprise； and； rising； saluted her。
〃To what strange freak do I owe this visit from the Princess
of Helium； who； two days ago； with rare consideration
for my pride； assured me that she would prefer Tal Hajus；
the green Thark； to my son？〃
Dejah Thoris only smiled the more and with the roguish dimples
playing at the corners of her mouth she made answer：
〃From the beginning of time upon Barsoom it has been
the prerogative of woman to change her mind as she listed
and to dissemble in matters concerning her heart。 That you
will forgive； Than Kosis； as has your son。 Two days ago I
was not sure of his love for me； but now I am； and I have
come to beg of you to forget my rash words and to accept
the assurance of the Princess of Helium that when the time
comes she will wed Sab Than； Prince of Zodanga。〃
〃I am glad that you have so decided；〃 replied Than Kosis。
〃It is far from my desire to push war further against the
people of Helium； and； your promise shall be recorded and
a proclamation to my people issued forthwith。〃
〃It were better； Than Kosis；〃 interrupted Dejah Thoris；
〃that the proclamation wait the ending of this war。 It would
look strange indeed to my people and to yours were the
Princess of Helium to give herself to her country's enemy
in the midst of hostilities。〃
〃Cannot the war be ended at once？〃 spoke Sab Than。
〃It requires but the word of Than Kosis to bring peace。
Say it； my father； say the word that will hasten my
happiness； and end this unpopular strife。〃
〃We shall see；〃 replied Than Kosis； 〃how the people of
Helium take to peace。 I shall at least offer it to them。〃
Dejah Thoris； after a few words； turned and left the
apartment； still followed by her guards。
Thus was the edifice of my brief dream of happiness
dashed； broken； to the ground of reality。 The woman for
whom I had offered my life； and from whose lips I had so
recently heard a declaration of love for me； had lightly
forgotten my very existence and smilingly given herself to
the son of her people's most hated enemy。
Although I had heard it with my own ears I could not
believe it。 I must search out her apartments and force her
to repeat the cruel truth to me alone before I would be
convinced； and so I deserted my post and hastened through
the passage behind the tapestries toward the door by which
she had left the chamber。 Slipping quietly through this
opening I discovered a maze of winding corridors； branching
and turning in every direction。
Running rapidly down first one and then another of them
I soon became hopelessly lost and was standing panting
against a side wall when I heard voices near me。 Apparently
they were coming from the opposite side of the partition
against which I leaned and presently I made out the tones
of Dejah Thoris。 I could not hear the words but I knew
that I could not possibly be mistaken in the voice。
Moving on a few steps I discovered another passageway
at the end of which lay a door。 Walking boldly forward I
pushed into the room only to find myself in a small ante…
chamber in which were the four guards who had accompanied
her。 One of them instantly arose and accosted me； asking
the nature of my business。
〃I am from Than Kosis；〃 I replied； 〃and wish to speak
privately with Dejah Thoris； Princess of Helium。〃
〃And your order？〃 asked the fellow。
I did not know what he meant； but replied that I was a
member of The Guard； and without waiting for a reply
from him I strode toward the opposite door of the ante…
chamber； behind which I could hear Dejah Thoris conversing。
But my entrance was not to be so easily accomplished。
The guardsman stepped before me； saying；
〃No one comes from Than Kosis without carrying an
order or the password。 You must give me one or the other
before you may pass。〃
〃The only order I require； my friend； to enter where I
will； hangs at my side；〃 I answered； tapping my long…sword；
〃will you let me pass in peace or no？〃
For reply he whipped out his own sword； calling to the
others to join him； and thus the four stood； with drawn
weapons； barring my further progress。
〃You are not here by the order of Than Kosis；〃 cried
the one who had first addressed me； 〃and not only shall
you not enter the apartments of the Princess of Helium but
you shall go back to Than Kosis under guard to explain
this unwarranted temerity。 Throw down your sword； you
cannot hope to overcome four of us；〃 he added with a grim
smile。
My reply was a quick thrust which left me but three
antagonists and I can assure you that they were worthy of
my metal。 They had me backed against the wall in no time；
fighting for my life。 Slowly I worked my way to a corner
of the room where I could force them to come at me only
one at a time； and thus we fought upward of twenty minutes；
the clanging of steel on steel producing a veritable bedlam
in the little room。
The noise had brought Dejah Thoris to the door of her
apartment； and there she stood throughout the conflict with
Sola at her back peering over her shoulder。 Her face was
set and emotionless and I knew that she did not recognize
me； nor did Sola。
Finally a lucky cut brought down a second guardsman
and then； with only two opposing me； I changed my tactics
and rushed them down after the fashion of my fighting
that had won me many a victory。 The third fell within ten
seconds after the second； and the last lay dead upon the
bloody floor a few moments later。 They were brave men
and noble fighters； and it grieved me that I had been forced
to kill them； but I would have willingly depopulated all
Barsoom could I have reached the side of my Dejah Thoris
in no other way。
Sheathing my bloody blade I advanced toward my Martian
Princess； who still stood mutely gazing at me without
sign of recognition。
〃Who are you； Zodangan？〃 she whispered。 〃Another enemy
to harass me in my misery？〃
〃I am a friend；〃 I answered； 〃a once cherished friend。〃
〃No friend of Helium's princess wears that metal；〃 she replied；
〃and yet the voice！ I have heard i