But even so, how could we hope to reach the
tunnelthrough that hideous cordon of horror?
I have given the matter a great deal of thought,
and Ihave come to a final decision.
We were quickly hoisted aboard again where we were
fairly smotheredwith congratulations. His harness, his weapons, everything about him
differed from any that Ihad seen on Mars. I must takeyou to Ho Ran Kim, the great
jeddak of Horz. Be sure to check thecopyright laws for your country before
downloading or redistributing thisfile. Before you passfinal judgment, consider this
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She could not stand the strain of waiting, he said,
and she has goneto her cabin to lie down.
It is already decided, my friend, said the
Jeddak.
There can be nohappiness for me as long as I retain
the body of a hormad.
Thank you, sir, I said; and a few moments later I
was knocking at thedoor of Janais cabin. It was then that I began to appreciate
themarvelous intelligence of my mount. I do, my Jeddak, replied the dwar; but this
is a most unusualemergency. Tor-dur-bar, promise me that you will do nothing rash if
the body ofVor Daj is lost. Was, you mean, she laughed; it is mine now.
You think it might make a difference with
her?
I am not threatening the safety of Horz, I
replied.
I was proud to fightat the side of such a man.
INVISIBLE MEN OF MARSFOREWORDLanikai is a district, a beach, a Post Office, and a
grocery store. Only on orders from Ho Ran Kim himself, replied the commander of
theguard. Horz had enjoyed a thousand years of peace. What had that to do with Janai
or with me?
Let me explain, interrupted Pan Dan Chee, for after
all theresponsibility is mine. This is most unusual, he said in a quiet, well
modulated voice. The Jeddak will receive you, he said to the dwar, Lan Sohn
Wen.
There before me stood indeed awarrior strangely
garbed, but it was not King Kamehameha.