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U-Dor and the jeddak interchanged the sis of Barsoom, and then the former recounted the details of the discovery and capture of the prisoners O-Tar scrutinized the U-Dor's narration of events, his expression revealing naught of what passed in the brain behind those inscrutable eyes When the officer had finished the jeddak fastened his gaze upon Ghek

"And you," he asked, "whatare you? From what country? Why are you in Manator?"

"I ahest type of created creature upon the face of Barsoom; I am mind, you are matter I co"

"And you!" O-Tar turned suddenly on Tara "You, too, are a kaldane?"

"I airl "I was a prisoner in Bantoom This kaldane and a warrior of my own race rescued me The warrior left us to search for food and water He has doubtless fallen into the hands of your people I ask you to free hio upon our way I ahter of a jeddak of jeddaks, The Warlord of Barsoom I ask only the treatment that my people would accord you or yours"

"Heliuht of Helium, nor does the Jeddak of Helium rule Manator I, O-Tar, am Jeddak of Manator I alone rule I protect my own You have never seen a woman or a warrior of Manator captive in Helium! Why should I protect the people of another jeddak? It is his duty to protect them If he cannot, he is weak, and his peopleI will keep you That-" he pointed at Ghek-"can it fight?"

"It is brave," replied Tara of Helium, "but it has not the skill at arht for you?" asked O-Tar "We are a just people," he continued without waiting for a reply, "and had you one to fight for you he ht win to freedom for himself and you as well"

"But U-Dor assured er ever had departed froed "That does not disprove the justice of the laws of Manator," replied O-Tar, "but rather that the warriors of Manator are invincible Had there come one who could defeat our warriors that one had won to liberty"

"And you fetch htily, "you shall see such swordplay as doubtless the cru city never have witnessed, and if there be no trick in your offer we are already as good as free"