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And then oncewide and theupon the threshold-a ray eyes that glittered now like points of steel and behind hi the harness of far countries Tara of Helium saw him and her heart leaped in exultation, for it was John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom, cohter, and at his side was Djor Kantos to whoe for a moment before he spoke "Lay down your arhter and that she lives, and if no harm has befallen her no blood need be shed Your city is filled with the fighting men of U-Thor, and those from Gathol and from Helium The palace is in the hands of the slaves from Gathol, beside a thousand ofthis room The fate of your jeddak lies in your own hands I have no wish to interfere I cohter and to free the slaves fro for a reply and as though the room had been filled with his own people rather than a hostile band he strode up the broad main aisle toward Tara of Helium
The chiefs of Manator were stunned They looked to O-Tar; but he could only gaze helplessly about him as the enemy entered from The Hall of Chiefs and circled the throne room until they had surrounded the entire company And then a dwar of the army of Helium entered
"We have captured three chiefs," he reported to The Warlord, "who beg that they be permitted to enter the throne room and report to their fellows some matter which they say will decide the fate of Manator"
"Fetch theuarded, to the foot of the steps leading to the throne and there they stopped and the leader turned toward the others of Manator and raising high his right hand displayed a jeweled dagger "We found it," he said, "even where I-Gos said that ould find it," and he looked ly upon O-Tar
"A-Kor, jeddak of Manator!" cried a voice, and the cry was taken up by a hundred hoarse-throated warriors
"There can be but one jeddak in Manator," said the chief who held the dagger; his eyes still fixed upon the hapless O-Tar he crossed to where the latter stood and holding the dagger upon an outstretched palm proffered it to the discredited ruler "There can be but one jeddak in Manator," he repeated ly