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"It is useless, Ghek," she said, when she saw that he intended to defend her "What can a single sword accoainst such odds?"

"I can die but once," replied the kaldane "You and your panthan saved me from Luud and I but do what your panthan would do were he here to protect you"

"It is brave, but it is useless," she replied "Sheathe your sword They may not intend us harround, but he did not sheathe it, and thus the two stood waiting as U-Dor the dwar stopped his thoat before theh circle about For a long ly first at Tara of Helium and then at her hideous companion

"What manner of creature are you?" he asked presently "And what do you before the gates of Manator?"

"We are froirl, "and we are lost and starving We ask only food and rest and the privilege to go our way seeking our own horiuard it alone know the age of Manator," he said; "yet in all the ages that have rolled by since Manator first was, there be no record in the annals of Manator of a stranger departing frohtily, "and ive me and my companions aid and assist us to return to our own land It is the law of Barsoom"

"Manator knows only the laws of Manator," replied U-Dor; "but co beautiful, need have no fear I, myself, will protect you if O-Tar so decrees And as for your companion-but hold! You said 'companions'-there are others of your party then?"

"You see what you see," replied Tara haughtily

"Be that as it may," said U-Dor "If there be , if your cohts well he too may live, for O-Tar is just, and just are the laws of Manator Co that he would have stood his ground and fought theainst their reat brain the means to outwit theht, Tara of Helium," he replied and sheathed his sword