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He was studying me quizzically. "I wish that I knew you better," he said at
last; "I wish that I knew that I could trust you. You are an intelligent man. In
the matter of brains, I am entirely alone here. I need an assistant. I need such
a man as you." He shook his head, rather disgustedly. "But what is the use? I
can trust no one."
"You employed me as your bodyguard. For that work I am fitted. Let it go at
that."
"You are right," he agreed. "Time will tell what else you are fitted for."
"And if I am to protect you," I continued, "I must know more about your enemies.
I must know who they are, and I must learn their plans."
"There are many who would like to see me destroyed, or destroy me themselves;
but there is one who, above all others, would profit by my death. He is Gar Nal,
the inventor." He looked up at me questioningly.
"I have never heard of him," I said. "You must remember that I have been absent
from Zodanga for many years."
He nodded. "I am perfecting a ship that will traverse space. So is Gar Nal. He
would like not only to have me destroyed, but also to steal the secrets of my
invention that would permit him to perfect his; but Ur Jan is the one I most
fear, because Gar Nal has employed him to destroy me."
"I am unknown in Zodanga. I will hunt out this Ur Jan and see what I can learn."
There was one thing that I wanted to learn right then, and that was whether or
not Fal Sivas would permit me to leave his house on any pretext.
"You could learn nothing," he said; "their meetings are secret. Even if you
could gain admission, which is doubtful, you would be killed before you could
get out again."
"Perhaps not," I said; "it is worth trying, anyway. Do you know where they hold
their meetings?"
"Yes, but if you want to try that, I will have Rapas guide you to the building."
"If I am to go, I do not want Rapas to know anything about it," I said.
"Why?" he demanded.
"Because I do not trust him," I replied. "I would not trust anyone with
knowledge of my plans."
"You are quite right. When you are ready to go, I can give you directions so
that you can find their meeting place."
"I will go tomorrow," I said, "after dark."
He nodded his approval. He was standing where he could look directly into the
bedroom where the girt was hidden. "Have you plenty of sleeping silks and furs?"
he asked.
"Plenty," I replied, "but I will bring my own tomorrow."
"That will not be necessary. I will furnish you all that you require." He still
stood staring into that other room. I wondered if he suspected the truth, or if
the girl had moved or her breathing were noticeable under the pile of materials
beneath which she was hidden.
I did not dare to turn and look for myself for fear of arousing his suspicions
further. I just sat there waiting, my hands close to the hilt of my short sword.
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Perhaps the girl was near discovery; but, if so, Fal Sivas was also near death
that moment.
At last he turned toward the outer doorway. "I will give you directions tomorrow
for reaching the headquarters of the gorthans, and also tomorrow I will send you
a slave. Do you wish a man or a woman?"
I preferred a man, but I thought that I detected here a possible opportunity for
protecting the girl. "A woman," I said.
He smiled. "And a pretty one, eh?"
"I should like to select her myself, if I may."
"As you wish," he replied. "I shall let you look them over tomorrow. May you
sleep well."
He left the room and closed the door behind him; but I knew that he stood
outside for a long time, listening.
I picked I up the book once more and commenced to read it; but not a word
registered on my consciousness, for all my
faculties were centered on listening.
After what seemed a long time, I heard him move away; and shortly after I
distinctly heard a door close on the level above me. Not until then did I move,
but now I arose and went to the door. It was equipped with a heavy bar on the
inside, and this I slid silently into its keeper.
Crossing the room, I entered the chamber where the girl lay and threw back the
covers that concealed her. She had not moved. As she looked up at me, I placed a
finger across my lips.
"You heard?" I asked in a low whisper.
She nodded.
"Tomorrow I will select you as my slave. Perhaps later I shall find a way to
liberate you."
"You are kind," she said.
I reached down and took her by the hand. "Come," I said, "into the other room.
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