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materially from the chamber occupied by men。 The guards who watch
the women remain in the corridor outside the sleeping chamber；
while female slaves pace back and forth among the sleepers within；
ready to notify the warriors should their presence be required。
I was surprised to note that all the guards with the hotel at
which we stopped were red men； and on inquiring of one of them I
learned that they were slaves purchased by the proprietors of the
hotels from the government。 The man whose post was past my sleeping
platform had been commander of the navy of a great Martian nation；
but fate had carried his flagship across the ice…barrier
within the radius of power of the magnetic shaft； and now
for many tedious years he had been a slave of the yellow men。
He told me that princes； jeds； and even jeddaks of the outer world；
were among the menials who served the yellow race； but when I
asked him if he had heard of the fate of Mors Kajak or Tardos
Mors he shook his head； saying that he never had heard of their
being prisoners here； though he was very familiar with the
reputations and fame they bore in the outer world。
Neither had he heard any rumor of the coming of the Father of
Therns and the black dator of the First Born； but he hastened to
explain that he knew little of what took place within the palace。
I could see that he wondered not a little that a yellow man should
be so inquisitive about certain red prisoners from beyond the ice…
barrier； and that I should be so ignorant of customs and conditions
among my own race。
In fact； I had forgotten my disguise upon discovering a red
man pacing before my sleeping platform； but his growing expression
of surprise warned me in time； for I had no mind to reveal my
identity to any unless some good could come of it； and I did not
see how this poor fellow could serve me yet； though I had it in my
mind that later I might be the means of serving him and all the
other thousands of prisoners who do the bidding of their stern
masters in Kadabra。
Thuvan Dihn and I discussed our plans as we sat together among
our sleeping silks and furs that night in the midst of the hundreds
of yellow men who occupied the apartment with us。 We spoke in low
whispers； but； as that is only what courtesy demands in a public
sleeping place； we roused no suspicion。
At last； determining that all must be but idle speculation until
after we had had a chance to explore the city and attempt to put
into execution the plan Talu had suggested； we bade each other
good night and turned to sleep。
After breakfasting the following morning we set out to see Kadabra；
and as； through the generosity of the prince of Marentina； we were
well supplied with the funds current in Okar we purchased a handsome
ground flier。 Having learned to drive them while in Marentina；
we spent a delightful and profitable day exploring the city；
and late in the afternoon at the hour Talu told us we would
find government officials in their offices； we stopped before
a magnificent building on the plaza opposite the royal
grounds and the palace。
Here we walked boldly in past the armed guard at the door； to
be met by a red slave within who asked our wishes。
〃Tell Sorav； your master； that two warriors from Illall wish
to take service in the palace guard；〃 I said。
Sorav； Talu had told us； was the commander of the forces of
the palace； and as men from the further cities of Okarand
especially Illallwere less likely to be tainted with the germ of
intrigue which had for years infected the household of Salensus Oll；
he was sure that we would be welcomed and few questions asked us。
He had primed us with such general information as he thought would be
necessary for us to pass muster before Sorav； after which we would
have to undergo a further examination before Salensus Oll that he
might determine our physical fitness and our ability as warriors。
The little experience we had had with the strange hooked sword
of the yellow man and his cuplike shield made it seem rather
unlikely that either of us could pass this final test； but there
was the chance that we might be quartered in the palace of Salensus
Oll for several days after being accepted by Sorav before the
Jeddak of Jeddaks would find time to put us to the final test。
After a wait of several minutes in an ante…chamber we were summoned
into the private office of Sorav； where we were courteously greeted
by this ferocious…appearing； black…bearded officer。 He asked us our
names and stations in our own city； and having received replies that
were evidently satisfactory to him； he put certain questions to us
that Talu had foreseen and prepared us for。
The interview could not have lasted over ten minutes when
Sorav summoned an aid whom he instructed to record us properly；
and then escort us to the quarters in the palace which are set
aside for aspirants to membership in the palace guard。
The aid took us to his own office first； where he measured
and weighed and photographed us simultaneously with a machine
ingeniously devised for that purpose； five copies being
instantly reproduced in five different offices of the government；
two of which are located in other cities miles distant。
Then he led us through the palace grounds to the main guardroom
of the palace； there turning us over to the officer in charge。
This individual again questioned us briefly； and finally
despatched a soldier to guide us to our quarters。 These we found
located upon the second floor of the palace in a semi…detached
tower at the rear of the edifice。
When we asked our guide why we were quartered so far from the
guardroom he replied that the custom of the older members of the
guard of picking quarrels with aspirants to try their metal had
resulted in so many deaths that it was found difficult to maintain
the guard at its full strength while this custom prevailed。
Salensus Oll had； therefore； set apart these quarters for aspirants；
and here they were securely locked against the danger of attack
by members of the guard。
This unwelcome information put a sudden check to all our well…
laid plans； for it meant that we should virtually be prisoners in
the palace of Salensus Oll until the time that he should see fit
to give us the final examination for efficiency。
As it was this interval upon which we had banked to accomplish
so much in our search for Dejah Thoris and Thuvia of Ptarth； our
chagrin was unbounded when we heard the great lock click behind our
guide as he had quitted us after ushering us into the chambers we
were to occupy。
With a wry face I turned to Thuvan Dihn。 My companion but shook
his head disconsolately and walked to one of the windows upon
the far side of the apartment。
Scarcely had he gazed beyond them than he called to me in a
tone of suppressed excitement and surprise。 In an instant I
was by his si