The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-05-28
BY
EDGAR RICE
BURROUGHS
Author Of
Tarzan Of the Apes

L
/ was as absolutely lost in the mazes
of winding passageways as had been
before l discovered Dejah Thoris'
apartments.
Presently / came upon spiral run
way leading to lower floor, and TINS
followed downward for several stories
until reached the doorway OF large
apartment in which were number OF
guardsmen. The walls of this room
were hung with transparent tapestries
behind which I secreted myself With
out being apprehended.
The compensation of the guardsmen
was general, and awakened no interest
in me until an officer entered the room
and ordered four Of the men to relieve
the detail who were guarding the
princess of Helium. Now, knew, my
troubles would commence in earnest
and indeed they were upon me all too
soon. for it seemed that the squad had
scarcely left the guardroom before one
Of their number burst in again breath
iessly, crying that they had FOUND
their four comrades butchered. IN the
antechamber.
In a moment the entire palace was
alive with people. Guardsmen, OIL
GERS. courtiers, servants and slaves ran
heller SHELTER through the corridors
and apartments carrying messages and
orders. and searching for signs OF the
assassin.
This was my opportunity and slim
as It appeared grasped 1t, for as
number of soldiers came hurrying past
nv hiding place I fell in behind them
and followed through the mazes OF the
palace until, in passing through
great hall, l saw the blessed light OF
day coming In through a series OF
i larger windows.
Here l left my guides, and, slipping
| to the nearest window, sought for an
avenue Of escape. The windows opened
upon great balcony which overlooked
| one of the broad avenues OF Zodanga.
The ground was about thirty feet be-
low. and at like distance from the
building was wall fully twenty feet
high constructed of polished glass
| about foot in thickness. To a red
Marian escape by this path would
have appeared impossible, but to me-
with my earthly strength and agility,
it seemed already accomplished. MY
only fear was in being detected before
darkness fell. for could not make the
leap in broad daylight while the court
below and the avenue beyond were
crowded with Zodangans.
/ Accordingly I searched for hiding
place and finally found one by accl
dent. inside huge hanging ornament
which hung from the ceiling of the
hall. and about ten feet from the floor
Into the capacious bowl-iike vase :
sprang with ease, and scarcely had
settled down within it than heard
number of people enter the apartment
The group stopped beneath my hiding
place and could plainly overheal
their every word.
at is the work of HeliuElites," sait
one of the men.
Eyes. O Jeddak, but how had the.
access to tAe palace? We shall soor
know, however, for here comes thu
royal psychologist"
i Another man now Joined the group
and, after making his formal greeting
to his ruler, said:
20 mighty Jeddak, It is strang
tale read in the dead minds of you
faithful guardsmen. They were fellet
not by number Of fighting men, blu
by a single opponent"
He paused to let the full weight o
this announcement irspress his hear
ers, and that his statement was scarce
" credited was evidenced by the impa
tient exclamation of incredulity whicl
escaped the lips Of Than Kosis.
"Where is my erstwhile savior?
spoke another of the party, and rec
ognized the voice Of the cousin o
Than Kosis, whom had rescued fror
the green warriors. by the metal Q
my first ancestor" he went on. ''bu
the description fits him to perfection
especially as to his fighting ability"
where is this manY' cried Tha
Kosis. "Have him brought to me o
once"
Word was soon brought that / wa
n nowhere to be found, either in tn
palace or at my former quarters
the barracks Of the air-scout squadron
Kantos Kan they had found and que'
toned, but he knew nothing OF %
whereabouts, and as to my past, }
Il had told them he knew as little, STINT
he had but recently met me duriI
our captivity among the Warhoons.
a keep your eyes on this other one
commanded Than Kosis. "He also
a stranger and likely as not they bot
hail from Helium, and where one
we shall sooner. or latef find the OF
: err"
. Another messenger now entert
!. with word that / was srill within Il
j palace walls.
1.-THE likeness of every person wi
. has entered or left the palace groun
I today has been carefully examined
h concluded the fellow, land not one a
d proaches the likeness of this new pa
4 war Of the Guards, other than tn
d which was recorded of him at the tir
i. he entered"