companions in the mastery of the Martian tongue that they were both
continually asking him about this or that word. He could already make
most of their wants known through speech to the attendants.
It was about this time that one of their two attendants, a young,
pleasant-faced chap, called Modah, startled Robert by stealthily handing
him a small, sealed envelope when they were alone for a moment. Making a
sign of secrecy the Martian hurried off. Robert pocketed the envelope as
the other attendant entered just then.
The reading of this note, though longer, proved easier than the first.
Robert recognized the signature immediately. However, it was not until
two days later that he succeeded in completely deciphering both notes,
and that only by tactful questioning of the interpreter.
The first read thus:
My friend:
I call you “friend” because they tell me you have come from a
far planet and I know that one so daring can not be cruel like
my captors.
My father and I are held as political prisoners here by Emperor
Kharnov who is trying to force me to marry him.
If you can read this letter, will you not try to help my father
and me to escape?
Zola.
The second note plainly had been written less hurriedly than the other,
in which several characters were imperfectly formed. This one covered
two sheets:
My friend:
Modah, the faithful, will give you this note. He has told me
much about you and I feel that I may, indeed, count on you as
a friend.
This is to tell you that he can be depended upon to death. He
was a servant of my father’s palace in the country of the snow
where my father ruled. Modah secured a place in the emperor’s
palace to help us. My maid, who came with me, also is loyal.
The emperor rules supreme over the entire planet, but he usurped
the crown during my father’s youth, giving my father the
governorship of one of the polar regions instead.
He feared my father, and, on the pretext of a conference,
invited us here only to make us prisoners. He threatens
to take my father’s life if he does not publicly renounce
his title, and will try to force me to become a morganatic
wife to himself.
Help our just cause, O my friend, and our gratitude will not
be lacking.
Trust Modah.
Zola.
The notes made a profound impression upon Robert. He pictured the girl
of his vision again for the hundredth time. Could it really have been
she whom he had already dreamed of thrice? But no matter who she was, he
was firmly determined to find some means of helping her.
By this time he had a fair command of the Martian writing-- enough, at
least, to write an intelligible, if elementary, message. That night he
succeeded in passing a brief note to Modah, unobserved by Numid, the
other attendant. In this note Robert asked Modah to see him in the
seclusion of the East Room as soon as he could elude the sharp-eyed
Numid.
He had selected the East Room, a sort of library in their apartment, for
the rendezvous because it had but one entrance. Here Robert waited
anxiously for what seemed hours. Finally there came a light, furtive
tapping on the door. Then Modah slipped into the room quickly.
It had been the professor’s suggestion that Robert talk to Modah alone,
since it was evident that it was Robert in whom his interest and that of
his mistress was centered.
“Numid wasted much time, _Elah_, Talk, talk, talk. I waited till he
slept--then came. He must not know. Would get suspicious.”
“I want to help your mistress,” Robert told him. “How will it be
possible for me to see her?”
“I have arranged to take you to her this night, if you wish.”
“Good work, Modah. Shall we start now?”
“At once, _Elah_. Follow me.”
So, with quickened pulse, Robert accompanied him, having first informed
Professor Palmer and Taggert of his mission. Through the apartment they
passed silently and entered a small antechamber at its rear. From this
chamber several doorways gave egress, one of which led into a long, dark
and narrow passage where Robert had to feel his way cautiously. The
uncomfortable suspicion occurred to him that this might all be but a
scheme to do away with him quietly. But he reconsidered, realizing how
completely they were all in the Martians’ power; it did not seem
reasonable to suppose that they would take such elaborate pains to do
away with him.
* * * * *
Presently they emerged into another anteroom similar to the one
adjoining their own apartment. A soft glow from a shaded lamp
illuminated the chamber. Through a broad archway on the right floated
the soft strains of some stringed instrument. Robert halted
unconsciously. Never had he heard sweeter music.
Modah’s insistent gestures finally roused him from his revery. Having
succeeded in attracting Robert’s attention, he passed through the
archway, motioning him to follow.
The heavy portieres parted before them. A large room of luxurious
tapestries and upholsterings dimly illuminated by rose-shaded lights met
his eyes. As they entered, the music ceased.
Then Robert saw a vision rise from beside a large harplike instrument at
the other side of the room and approach them. As she passed a lamp its
rays bathed her head in its glow. His dreams were come true. She was the
girl of his vision! Not for nothing had he thrice dreamed of her. He
would have known her among a thousand.
The majesty of empresses and the grace of a nymph were hers as she moved
toward them. Serenely, and without hesitation, she came directly to
Robert and placed her hands in his. Her lovely eyes looked into his
trustfully.
“I knew you would come,” she said simply.
Her low, clear voice was a joy. The loveliness of her held him
speechless.
“And I knew that I should find you,” he answered, finding his tongue at
last.
She led him to a couch and commanded him to sit beside her. Modah had
vanished.
“We may be surprized at any moment by a visit from the emperor or one of
his spies,” she said. “We must make our plans quickly.”
“I am at your command, princess,” said Robert.
“There remain but two days in which to escape. The time set by the
usurper for my father’s final decision expires then. My father will
never bow to him. I shudder to think of what may follow.”
Robert pondered a minute. Obviously the _Sphere_ offered the most
promising avenue of escape; but how to gain access to it at night
without arousing suspicion and probably fatal resistance was the
question. A plan came to him. He could visit the _Sphere_ the following
afternoon under some plausible excuse without exciting suspicion, and
could remain tinkering in it, ostensibly to make some repairs. Unless
disturbed, he could wait till dark, then cautiously bring it over to the
garden.
The scheme was simple enough, but the possibilities for failure were
numerous. Should the emperor become suspicious and have the _Sphere_
watched, his plans would be of no avail. A dozen other possible
obstacles occurred to him but no better plan.
Swiftly he outlined it to Zola, obtaining her promise that she and her
father would be in readiness to leave the following night. Her absolute
confidence in his ability at once disturbed and inspired Robert. He felt
that he must succeed at all costs. Here was probably his only chance of
saving the maid of his dreams. He must not be found wanting.
“Quick! The emperor!” said Modah, tensely, appearing suddenly, as from
nowhere.
Pressing the princess’ hand in hasty farewell, Robert followed Modah
quickly. Down the long hallway they hurried. At a dark and forbidding
doorway Modah halted and signaled Robert to follow. The next moment they
had plunged into the darkness of a narrow passage leading off the main
one. Groping blindly along the wall in the wake of Modah’s hurrying
footsteps. Robert narrowly missed flattening his nose against the
opposite wall as they turned a sharp bend. A moment later, however, a
faint light glimmered ahead, revealing Modah scurrying along, a few
yards in advance.
A moment later Modah stopped. Together they listened for some sound of
pursuit. But the silence of the massive, walled passage was unbroken
save for their own bated breath. Once more they hurried ahead, and soon
Robert recognized with relief the passage leading into their apartment.
Both Taggert and the professor were eagerly awaiting him. Briefly Robert
explained the result of his excursion, and suggested his plans for their
escape with the princess and her father. It developed that Modah had
taken a different and roundabout route back for greater safety, though
the divers dim passages all had looked much alike to Robert. He was only
certain that it had taken them longer to return. He resolved to
substantially reward the vigilant Modah at the first opportunity. Had
the emperor discovered him with the princess, all would have been lost.
* * * * *
Early in the morning Taggert left to examine the _Sphere_ and survey the
ground for an escape. Ostensibly he went to obtain some needed articles
of wearing apparel. Robert and the professor took the precaution to
instruct him as to what articles they wanted at breakfast, while Modah
and Numid were both present.
Immediately after breakfast, and during Taggert’s absence, they were
visited by the emperor. Fearing to hear of his own clandestine call upon
the princess, Robert prepared himself for the worst.
But the emperor apparently was ignorant of the matter, for he merely
inquired regarding their welfare and begged them to accept an invitation
to attend a meeting of his learned men to discuss life on the two
planets; he seemed much pleased over their progress in the Martian
tongue.
While he was there Taggert returned with the articles mentioned that
morning. Those he made no effort to conceal. After a few words with him
the emperor bid them adieu.
“When is this meeting he’s spouting about?” Taggert inquired anxiously.
“Tomorrow evening,” said Robert. “Too bad we must miss it. Professor
Palmer could gather a great deal of interesting data regarding Mars from
those men.”
“He would if those pirates would give him a chance to ask a question,”
said Taggert. “But the chances are that they’d keep him dizzy satisfying
their own curiosity.”
“Never mind, boys. I’ll no doubt have other favorable opportunities to
gather all the data I want from our polar friends when we reach their
country. What is more important now is the condition of the _Sphere_.
You haven’t told us what shape you found things in, Taggert.”
“Oh, everything looks all right, thank goodness,” answered Taggert. “I
took a peep into the petrol tanks, too, and turned the gyrostats over a
few revolutions. Saw a couple of these runts hanging around, but I guess
we’ll be able to pull off our party O. K. I tried to act as if there was
something out of order for their benefit in case they were spies.”
“Good idea. That will offer a plausible reason for my going over this
afternoon,” said Robert.
Having laid all their plans carefully, Robert and Taggert visited the
_Sphere_ late that afternoon, and together they tinkered and tested for
the benefit of the two or three Martians who were ever about, as well as
for their own benefit to see that everything was in working condition.
Fortunately everything was in the same shape as when they had left it.
About sunset Taggert left, taking word that Robert was engrossed in
making some delicate repairs and would not return for dinner.
15
As the twilight rapidly faded Robert observed with uneasiness that three
Martians remained within the building where the _Sphere_ was placed. His
suspicion that they were spies was strengthened when one of them engaged
him in conversation and inquired whether he might accompany him within
the _Sphere_ to learn something of its intricacies. The note of
insistence in the Martian’s voice convinced Robert that a refusal would
be useless. He granted the request gracefully, biding his time until he
felt sure the princess would be ready. Then it would be up to him to get
rid of the spies in some manner. Just how he was to accomplish this he
did not yet know.
The time agreed upon was immediately after the first sign of the rising
moon, Phobus, above the horizon. Explaining the various features of the
_Sphere_ as vaguely as possible, Robert watched closely for the first
glow of the planet’s little moon. The several windows in the western end
of the building offered a fair view of the horizon in that direction.
As the fateful hour approached, Robert determined to get the _Sphere_
outside the building in some manner, in order that he would be best
prepared to make a dash to the palace at the proper moment.
Accordingly, he informed the Martian with him that he intended to take
the _Sphere_ outside for a trial flight before leaving it, asking him
whether he desired to accompany him or not. He was hoping, of course,
that the Martian would say “no.” He did not wish to seem desirous of
getting rid of him for fear that his suspicion would be aroused.
As Robert had half expected, however, the Martian informed him politely
that it was the emperor’s wish that the _Sphere_ not be taken out of the
building for the present. It was plain that Robert would have to resort
to strategy to carry out his plans.
Accepting the Martian’s statement with apparent readiness and good
nature, he remarked that he could just as well test the _Sphere_ some
other time, and prepared as if to leave it. He succeeded in maneuvering
so as to follow the other out, though the Martian preceded him with
evident reluctance.
Upon reaching the exit in the outer shell of the _Sphere_ the spy turned
as if minded to request Robert to precede him there. Realizing that it
was now or never, Robert leaped upon him suddenly, delivering a sharp
blow to the spy’s jaw that sent him reeling down the few remaining steps
and through the open trap on to the floor of the building.
Simultaneously with the Martian’s cry of baffled rage, Robert slammed
the trap-door shut and raced up the steps. A moment later he had the
gyrostats in motion.
His heart sank, though, as he saw all three of the Martians tugging at
the massive door that stood between the _Sphere_ and freedom. Already it
was sliding to with their efforts. His escape was cut off!
For a moment Robert was tempted to press into service the automatic that
reposed in a locker but a few feet away. But the thought of firing upon
them in cold blood was repugnant to him. Apparently the Martians were
unarmed. During their sojourn on Mars, Robert and his companions had not
found out what kind of weapons the Martians used. Two of the Martians
remained inside the great door, shouting to him to come out of the
_Sphere_. The third had slipped out, no doubt to inform the emperor of
his attempted escape.
The Martians’ probable ignorance of the power of his automatic made it
impracticable for Robert to attempt forcing them to open the door again.
Then, suddenly, he remembered the tremendous lifting power of the
_Sphere_, and a possible solution came to him. Carefully he maneuvered
the _Sphere_, raising it slowly to the roof. As he felt the jar of the
shell against the rafters he increased the lift. He could hear the
building groan with the immense pressure. Then he opened the disk’s
surface to its maximum and switched on the current!
For a moment the _Sphere_ swayed uncertainly as the stout rafters
writhed against the tremendous power of the disk. Robert caught a
glimpse of the Martians flattened against the door in consternation. The
next instant the _Sphere_ shot upward with a crash as the roof of ths
building collapsed behind it!
Instantly Robert shut off its lifting power, and began maneuvering the
_Sphere_ back downward and toward the palace.
* * * * *
Fortunately the _Sphere_ seemed undamaged by its unusual exit from the
building. Within a minute after his escape Robert had it immediately
over the palace gardens where the princess and his companions were to
join him. The gardens were dark and forbidding-looking beneath him,
though the ruddy orange rim of Phobus already was visible over the
horizon’s edge. As yet there was no sign of pursuit.
Softly the _Sphere_ settled like a round, dark cloud. As it reached a
level of perhaps thirty feet Robert saw a darker blotch on the expanse
of lawn in back of the princess’ quarters. Being sufficiently familiar
with the garden to know that this was not a part of the shrubbery, he
suspected and hoped that it was his friends awaiting him. He dared not
show a light yet, but continued to settle as rapidly as was safe.
Then, to Robert’s relief, a small, carefully shaded flashlight winked
twice at him from below. This was the signal agreed upon.
A moment later the _Sphere_ came to rest on the turf. A glance through
the windows was sufficient to recognize his friends. Taggert came close
and rapped on the glass. His low “Hurry” reached Robert in spite of the
double panes.
Hurrying down the narrow steps he opened the manhole. The next instant
he was helping the princess into the dark passage which he dared not
light yet. The flashlight which he also carried for this very emergency,
however, enabled all to see their way quite well.
But their good fortune was not to continue indefinitely. Hardly had the
princess and her father stepped into the _Sphere_ when there came a
sound of excited pursuit on the other side of the garden wall which
divided the princess’ section from theirs, and the garden gate burst
open!
Urging the professor and Taggert into the _Sphere_ hurriedly, Robert
slipped the automatic out of his pocket, thanking his lucky stars that
he had brought it with him. Without hesitation he blazed away over the
heads of their pursuers as they rushed forward, hoping to halt them for
an instant. But they seemed undaunted. On they came in great bounds,
shouting excitedly.
Having done what he could to keep them away from the _Sphere_, Robert
hurried into the passage just as the leader came up. As the latter
darted after him Robert fired. The Martian went down, but the others
pressed forward, brandishing saberlike weapons. Unable to lift the
trap-door into place because of the body of the wounded Martian upon it,
Robert was about to shout to Taggert to raise the _Sphere_, when one of
the Martians leaped over his prostrate fellowman and struck at Robert
with his weapon.
By an unlucky bit of chance the blade struck the automatic from Robert’s
hand even as he fired again. He could hear the gyrostats humming and had
just presence of mind enough to yell to Taggert to raise the _Sphere_
when there came a roar and a flash by his ear and the vicious Martian’s
weapon clattered on to the steps as he staggered back, blocking for a
moment the others behind him. The rays from the small globe in the
ceiling now lighted the passage.
“Close shave, Robert,” came Professor Palmer’s voice, and once more the
roar of his firearm deafened them in the narrow passage.
The Martians’ rush was checked for a moment, and in that instant they
had lost. The _Sphere_ trembled. As a great shout of baffled rage welled
up from without, Robert knew that they finally were off. Stung by their
failure, two Martians rushed at the manhole. One of them managed to grip
the rungs outside. The next instant he was precipitated forcibly back to
the ground as the _Sphere_ shot upward, wrenching the rungs from his
grasp. But Robert’s earlier assailant still sprawled, wounded and partly
dazed, upon the lower steps. Then, abruptly, before they could prevent
it, he rolled off into space with a wild cry!
Slamming the manhole cover shut, Robert and the professor made their way
up into the main chamber. The princess was waiting for Robert with great
anxiety. There, for the first, time, Robert met Hakon, her father, a
dignified and robust man of middle age, with an imperious though
pleasant manner. The beard, as affected by the emperor, was absent, but
he wore a short, gray mustache that matched his heavy, graying hair.
“I can not express my gratitude for the service you and your companions
are doing for my daughter and me, my friend,” he said in a pleasing,
resonant voice. “I can only say that you shall all be fittingly rewarded
upon our arrival in my country.”
“The privilege of rescuing your Highness and the princess is sufficient
reward,” replied Robert.
“Can’t we go back and lick their army for you or something?” asked
Taggert, looking at the princess in vast admiration.
“Our zealous companion possesses more enthusiasm than discretion,” said
Professor Palmer, at which they all laughed.
Reaching a height of about a thousand feet, Robert started the _Sphere_
toward the region of the planet’s north pole, having taken his direction
from the slowly rising Phobus in the west after consultation with
Professor Palmer and Zola’s father.
Taggert volunteering his culinary services, they all indulged in a light
repast of canned salmon, fresh baked biscuits, in which Taggert
excelled, jelly and tea.
The distance from their previous position just south of the equator
being roughly 3,500 miles from the northern pole, Robert estimated that
they could easily reach Zola’s country within six hours. However, as it
would be more convenient as well as interesting to arrive after dawn he
did not push the _Sphere_. Their royal passengers were greatly
interested in its mysteries, and far into the night Robert explained the
intricacies of the wonderful machine to Zola and her father. Finally,
however, they accepted Robert’s invitation to rest a few hours in one of
the small rooms adjoining the main chamber, upon his promise to awaken
them at dawn.
Shortly after they had retired, the gyrostats developed an overheated
bearing, with the result that Robert was obliged to descend to a
convenient expanse of desert to safely correct the trouble.
The remedy proved more difficult than expected and dawn was almost upon
them by the time the _Sphere_ was again ready for flight. Thereupon
Robert decided to call their guests before taking flight.
The princess, in some manner unknown to most women, appeared looking
fresh and lovely as she stepped from the _Sphere_ out into the rosy
flush of the new dawn.
“Oh, it’s so good to get out into the open once more, and to know that
we are free,” she cried. “It seems ages since we were made prisoners by
that frightful usurper. How can we ever thank you enough?”
“Ah, princess, your happiness more than repays me,” replied Robert, who
found himself strolling beside her.
Together they watched the eastern sky grow rapidly brighter while the
others stood apart as if understanding their unvoiced desire to be
alone.
“A strange dream came to me recently,” she murmured. “This brings it all
back. I dreamed that I was alone in a vast jungle of horrible, twisted
growths of huge thorns from which I could find no escape.”
“Then you came upon a small clearing,” Robert interrupted before he
thought.
“Why--how did you know?” she breathed, her eyes alight with
astonishment.
“I--I was there. That is, I, too, dreamed that I was there and that you
came.”
The sun’s dazzling edge peered over the rim of the horizon, its warm
rays nestling in her pale gold hair.
“And did--did you--oh, I know it sounds absurd--but did you not see me
one night off in space as you journeyed to me in your wonderful
_Sphere_?”
“That is how you knew I would come to you? How well do I remember! But
then, as before, you slipped away from me. I have a terrible fear you
will fade away, leaving me but a dream to remember you by.”
“No, no, no!” she cried earnestly; and then, as if suddenly embarrassed
by the subtle admission just made, she flushed and turned away. As they
walked quietly back toward the _Sphere_ where the others waited there
was a song in Robert’s heart.
* * * * *
Once more they embarked on their journey toward the polar region. The
gyrostats now operated faultlessly. Robert rose slowly to an altitude of
about 2,000 feet.