Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-02-14

placed visiting card upon end on
silver dollar that you had laid fat upon
table so that the edge of the card per-
fectly bisected the surface of the coin
The card might represent the section
of the wall that turned and the silver
dollar the section of the floor. Both
were so nicely fitted into the adjacent
portions of the floor and wall that no
crack had been noticeable in the dim
light of the chamber.
As the turn was half completed a
great beast was revealed sitting upon
its launches upon that part of the re-
volving floor that had been on the op-
posite side before the wall commenced
to move. When the section stopped the
beast was facing toward me on our
side of the partition.
But what had interested me most
was the sight that the half turned sec
ton had presented through the opening
that it had made.
A great chamber, well lighted, in
which were several men and women
chained to the wall, and in front of
them. evidently directing and operat-
ing the movement of the secret door
way, wicked faced man, neither red
as are the red men of Mars, nor green
as are the green men, but white like
myself, with a great mass of flowing
yellow hair.
The prisoners behind him were red
Martians. Chained with them were
a number of fierce beasts.
Watch the wall at your end of the
chamber, Tars Tarkas," l cautioned.
So long as we remained each facing
an opposite end of the apartment no
attacks were made upon US, so it was
quite clear to me that the partitions
were in some way pierced that our ac-
tions might be observed from without
At length a plan of action occurred
to me, and backing quite close to Tars
Tarkas 1 unfolded by scheme In a low
whisper, keeping my eyes still glued
upon my end of the room.
The great Thark grunted his assent
to my proposition when l had done
and in accordance with my plan COM
menced backing toward the wall which
/ faced. while l advanced slowly
ahead of him.
When he had reached a point some
ten feet from the secret doorway, 1
halted my companion. and, caution
ing him to remain absolutely motion
less until l gave the prearranged sig
nal, quickly turned my back to the
door through which could almost feel
the burning and baleful eyes of our
would be executioner.
Instantly my own eyes sought the
mirror upon Tars Tarkas' back. l had
not long to wait, for presently the
golden surface commenced to move
rapidly.
Scarcely had it started than l gave
the signal to Tars Tarkas, simultane-
ously springing for the receding half
of the pivoting door.
In like manner the Thark wheeled
and leaped for the opening being made
by the inswinging section.
single bound carried me complete
ly through into the adjoining room
and brought me face to face with the
fellow whose cruel face l had before
seen.
He was about my own height and
well muscled and in every outward
detail nodded precisely as are earth
men.
At his side hung a long sword, a
short sword, dagger and one of the
destructive radium revolvers that are
so common upon Mars.
The fact that was armed only with
a long sword and so according to the
laws and ethics of battle everywhere
upon Barsoom should only have been
met with a similar or lesser weapon
seemed to have no effect upon the
moral sense of my enemy. for he whip
ped out his revolver ere I had scarce
touched the floor by his side, but an
uppercut from my long sword sent 1t
flying from his grasp before he could
discharge 1t.
Instantly he drew his long sword,
and, thus evenly armed, we set to in
earnest for one of the closest battles
have ever fought.
The fellow was q marvellous swords
man and evidently in practice, while
had not gripped the hilt of a sword for
ten long years before that morning.
But 1t did not take me long to fall
easily into my fighting stride. so that
in n few minutes the man began to
realize that he had at last met his
match.
His face became livid with rage as he
found my guard impregnable. while
blood flowed from a dozen minor
wounds upon his face and body.
who are you, white mann he
hlssed. "That you are no Barsoomian
from the outer world is evident from
your color. And you are not of us7"
His last statement was almost a
question.
what II / were from the temple of
Issus?" hazarded on a wild guess.
Fate forefendw be exclaimed, his
face going white under the blood that
now nearly covered 1t.
did not know how to follow up my
lead. but I carefully laid the idea away
for future use should circumstances re,
quire 1t.
(To Be Continued.)