THE LASSO
LAMARA, having convinced herself that Miriam was no longer on the island
bethought herself of the subterranean passage. This was a secret way to
the mainland, and known to few; but one of those few was Zarga. There was
no escape, therefore, from the conclusion that the girl had taken this
means of continuing her treachery; but Lamara hastened to explore the
cavern, and found abundant traces of the passing of both Zarga and Miriam.
On the shore at the other side there were signs that sufficiently
indicated the rendezvous with Torpeon and the flight to Tor.
Lamara’s intuitions, which were of the highest order, had given her a
knowledge of Miriam’s heart and character, which obviated any doubt that
Miriam must have been hoodwinked. But the problem of how to rescue her
from her unwilling thraldom remained. The traditional usages of Saturn
discountenanced aggressive action; but neither had any situation similar
to this been anticipated. Unprecedented needs require the exercise of
corresponding methods. Had the problem been simply the subjugation of
Torpeon, and of his kingdom with him, there were resources in Saturn
adequate to accomplish it; but to do so without involving Miriam in danger
would be far more difficult. Torpeon would hesitate at nothing, and if
driven to extremity would not scruple, Lamara feared, to sacrifice Miriam
rather than surrender her. Nor was this all. Lamara had reason to suspect
that he contemplated an enterprise which, were it successful, would carry
him and his abode beyond the limits of Saturnian influence. It was an
enterprise wild and desperate, and it might result in the annihilation of
Tor itself, not to speak of serious disorders in other planets of the
system. Lamara divined that his determination to keep Miriam might urge
him on to the immediate prosecution of this gigantic and reckless scheme;
and it behooved her to lose no time in taking measures to prevent it.
Aunion and others must be consulted; meanwhile she resorted to the
planetary mirror, which was in the neighborhood, to ascertain the actual
present condition of affairs.
Upon entering the sunken dome, she pronounced the formula proper for her
purpose, and subdued her mind to observe what should transpire.
For a few moments the eye was dark and vacant of images; then the blurred
traces of a rapidly moving object appeared; it was focused an instant
later, and Lamara saw Torpeon and Miriam on their way through space. The
prince glanced behind him at intervals, as if from a feeling of
insecurity. Miriam, her black hair flying behind her like a banner of
mourning, sat motionless. What could be the cause of Torpeon’s uneasiness?
The fugitives were still within the outer confines of the Saturnian
atmosphere, and approaching the ring. The vast, shining curve of the
latter was in such a position that they were silhouetted against it, and
every detail of their aspect and surroundings was distinct. The ring
radiated sublimity; it was composed, as Lamara knew, of the crystallized
bodies of those who had passed to another life from Saturn; an
immeasurable mausoleum and memorial of the friends who had departed.
Billions of mortal forms, in which souls had once lived and loved, were
here spontaneously disposed in their innumerable ranks, enlightening the
world which they encircled in ever-augmenting myriads. Each atom of that
solemn army sparkled forever in its appointed place, and contributed in
its degree to the far-flung splendor. And in some eon too remote for
calculation the mighty circle would disintegrate to form a new and radiant
planet, on which would be born and flourish and fulfil its destiny another
and nobler race, to carry forward to another stage the majestic evolution
of humanity.
Lamara sighed. For this divinely appointed scroll of death and life, made
to remind mortal existence of the immortal future that awaited it, was now
serving as the background to reveal the lawless act of a self-seeking and
finite ambition. The trail of carnal passions defiles the pure pavements
of the holy temple!
Her meditation was interrupted by an unexpected episode.
Into the field of vision was suddenly projected a long loop of azure
light, tenuous as a spider’s web, uncoiling itself like a lasso, aimed to
overtake and encircle the flying pair. Lamara immediately recognized it as
a thread of power thrown out by some Saturnian pursuer to arrest the
progress of the robber prince and his captive.
“It is Argon!” she murmured the next moment, as the figure of the youth
swept into sight. “It is a gallant effort; but I fear he is too late. Even
did it succeed, the peril would be great!”
Unless the feat could be accomplished before Torpeon could pass beyond the
Saturnian atmosphere, it would be useless to attempt it. The chase was now
nearing that boundary; and the risk to Miriam of a contest in mid air was
obvious.
The first cast of the aerial lasso failed, passing ineffectively to one
side. Argon, who had unfolded the wings which every Saturnian may employ
at need, gathered up his shining line and prepared for another trial.
But Torpeon had already become aware of his predicament. The car leaped
forward with redoubled impetus, causing it to sway dizzily from side to
side. Miriam, aroused from her apathy by the singing of the noose, had now
turned and realized what was going on. Her friends were trying to save
her. Far down in the void she had seen the pursuer; the distance seemed
enormous, but it was lessening. She took a breath or two to make up her
mind.
Meanwhile, she controlled every expression of emotion. Torpeon, indeed,
had no suspicion of her intention. He was employing all his energies to
pass the pale of danger. From the corner of her eye Miriam saw the pursuer
swing his arm for another cast. Should this fail, she would act!
Lamara, intently observing, discerned not the outward manifestations
merely, but the thoughts which produced them. She knew Argon’s activity,
courage, and address; but the hazard was too great. Yet to intervene now
was impossible.
Keen like the note of a harp-string in the shrillest treble came again the
sound of the noose. It reached its highest pitch, and the noose itself
appeared above their heads, opening and descending. Every nerve in
Miriam’s body was drawn tense for the outcome. Down came the shining
circlet, carrying its message of defeat for Torpeon or of liberation for
her. So truly had Argon estimated the distance that it seemed certain they
would be taken. But Torpeon’s skill and foresight were not less than his.
Just as the shining cord settled around them, Torpeon, by a titanic
effort, brought the car to a halt. It dropped straight downward, leaving
the slip-knot to close empty above them. By another wrench at the guiding
shaft he caused the vehicle to swerve violently to the left; then to start
forward once more. The snare had been evaded!
The moment for Miriam’s attempt had come. She had been thrown on her knees
by the sudden turning of the car; she steadied herself, and then sprang to
her feet. The car staggered in its course; for an instant the sky seemed
to reel; the ring flashed before her eyes, dipped, and vanished; the vast
globe of Saturn impended above her head, and she caught a lightning
glimpse of Argon halting in his flight, and watching, appalled, for the
issue. She summoned all her energy, and leaped from the car.
What might be the consequence, she had not cared to consider; there was
the chance that Argon might intercept her fall; there was the possibility
that she might join the silent army of the ring. It was even conceivable
that, at this immense distance from the planet, she might be borne away in
an orbit of her own, and journey forever in an endless spiral through the
fields of space. Anything would be preferable to enduring the dominion of
the prince of Tor.
But Torpeon, though he had perhaps not anticipated a voluntary act on her
part, was not unprepared for the event, and was ready to meet it. With a
resolve as desperate as Miriam’s, he flung himself headlong after her as
she leaped.
For the duration of a single pulse-beat, the twain hung in mid air, the
gravitational force of Saturn, diminished by the counterpull of Tor,
operating but feebly. Ere it could gather strength, he had thrown an arm
around her. She felt its grasp, and struggled fiercely against it, but in
vain. The car, dropping with them, was within reach of Torpeon’s other
hand. He caught it, and still holding her, dragged himself aboard. Once
more he sent it flying on its way. The bounds of Saturnian influence were
passed, and Argon’s pursuit had failed.
Torpeon turned his head, his face so close to Miriam’s that his beard
brushed her cheek, and searched her eyes with a look that pierced like a
sword. In that glance was manifested the whole savage strength of the man.
The car sped on, and presently became a mere speck in the mirror. The
figure of Argon, descending, flashed into view, and Lamara left the dome
and went forth to meet him.