The Lamar register., 1921-03-23
The bmIalng IN wnicn found my

self contained the machinery which
produces that artificial atmosphere
which sustains life on Mars The Sc
cret Of the entire process hinges on
the use Of the ninth ray, one Of the
beautiful scintillations which hhd
noted emanating from the great stone
In my hosts dladem.
This ray Is separated from the 9th
er rays OF the sun by means of finely
adjusted Instruments placed upon the
roof Of the huge building. three-quar-
tiers OF which Is used for reservoirs In
which the ninth ray is stored. This
product Is then treated electrically,
or rather certain proportions Of re
fined electric vibrations are incui
porafed with IL. and the result Is then
pumped to the five principal air cen
ters OF the planet where. as II is re-
leased, contact with the ether of space
transforms IL into atmosphere.
There is always sufficient reserve OF
the ninth ray stored In the great
building to maintain the present Mar
tian atmosphere for a thousand years,
md the only fear. as my new friend
told me, was that some accident might
befall the pumping apparatus.
Before | retired for the night he
promised to give me a letter to a near
10y agricultural officer who would help
me on my way to Zodanga. which he
snld was the nearest Martian city.
But be sure thar you do not let
them know you are bound for Helium,
as they are at war with that country.
Ny assistant and | are Of no country
we belnrl TO all Barsoom and this tai
isman which we wear protects us in
all lands. even among the green men
though we do not trur ourselves to
their hands II we can avoid it." h.
added.
"And 50 goodnight. my friend" he
continued. may you have long and
restful sleep-yes. long sleep"
And though he smiled pleasantly I
saw In his thoughts the wish that he
had never admitted me and then pic
ture Of him standing over me In the
night. and the swift thrust OF u long
dagger and the halr-formed words. Il
III. s., rry. but II Is for the best good If
BursoOm."
Whit was | to do? How could I es-
cape through these mighty wallsf
Easily could | kill him now that | was
warned. but once he was dead | could
no more escape. and with the stop
ping Of the machinery of the great
plant should die with all the other
Inhabitants Of the pianet-all. even
Dejah Thoris were she not already
dead.
Cautiously / opened the door of my
apartment and, followed by Woola,
sought the inner OF the great doors.
A wild scheme had come to me.
would attempt TO force the great locks
by the nine thought waves ! had read
In my hosts mind.
Creeping stealthily through corridor
after corridor and down winding run
ways which turned hither and thither
! finally reached the great hall In
which ] had broken my long fast that
morning.
was on the point OF stepping bold
ly out into the room when slight
noise behind me warned me back into
the shadows OF a recess In the corri-
dor. Dragging Woods after me !
rrouched low In the darkness.
Presently the old man passed close
by me. and as he entered the dimly
lighted chamber which ! had been
about to pass through I saw that he
heldN long thin dagger In his hand
and that he was sharpening II upon
a stone. In his mind was the decision
to inspect the radium pumps which
would take about thirty minutes, and
then return TO my bedchHmber and I'm
lsh me.
As he passed through the great hall
and disappeared down the runway
which led to the pumproom. stole
stealthily from my hiding place and
crossed to the grent door. the Inner
OF the three which stood between ne
and liberty.
Err n