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Again he crushed her to hi, strode rapidly to and fro across the chah he endeavored by violent exercise to master and subdue soh his brain and heart and soul like some joyous paean were those words that had so altered the world for Gahan of Gathol: "I love you, Turan; I love you so!" And it had coratitude for his loyalty and then, in an instant, her barriers were all down, she was no longer a princess; but instead a-his reflections were interrupted by a sound froiven forth no sound upon thecarried him past the entrance to the cha corridor the sound of metal on metal-the unmistakable herald of the approach of armed men

For a moment Gahan listened intently, close to the door, until there could be no doubt but that a party of warriors was approaching Frouessed correctly that they would be cole purpose-to search for Tara and himself-and it behooved hi them The chamber in which they were had other doorways beside that at which they had entered, and to one of these heto Tara he acquainted her with his suspicion, leading her to one of the doors which they found unsecured Beyond it lay a dihted chamber at the threshold of which they halted in consternation, drawing back quickly into the chalance revealed four warriors seated around a jetan board

That their entrance had not been noted was attributed by Gahan to the absorption of the two players and their friends in the gaitives moved silently to the next, which they found locked There was now but another door which they had not tried, and this they approached quickly as they knew that the searching party rin they found this avenue of escape barred

Now indeed were they in a sorry plight, for should the searchers have infor Tara to the door behind which were the jetan players Gahan drew his sword and waited, listening The sound of the party in the corridor came distinctly to their ears-theyin force Beyond the door were but four warriors who ht be readily surprised There could, then, be but one choice and acting upon it Gahan quietly opened the door again, stepped through into the adjoining chamber, Tara's hand in his, and closed the door behind them The four at the jetan board evidently failed to hear the a rasped a piece that still rested upon the board The other three atching hisjetan there in the diotten and forbidden chahted his face