building. So we determined to put our plan to an immediate test

lest the Mahars who made it possible should awake before I reached

them; but we were doomed to disappointment, for no sooner had

we reached the main floor of the building on our way to the pits

beneath, than we encountered hurrying bands of slaves being hastened

under strong Sagoth guard out of the edifice to the avenue beyond.

Other Sagoths were darting hither and thither in search of other

slaves, and the moment that we appeared we were pounced upon and

hustled into the line of marching humans.

What the purpose or nature of the general exodus we did not know,

but presently through the line of captives ran the rumor that two

escaped slaves had been recaptured--a man and a woman--and that we

were marching to witness their punishment, for the man had killed

a Sagoth of the detachment that had pursued and overtaken them.

At the intelligence my heart sprang to my throat, for I was sure

that the two were of those who escaped in the dark grotto with

Hooja the Sly One, and that Dian must be the woman. Ghak thought

so too, as did Perry.

"Is there naught that we may do to save her?" I asked Ghak.

"Naught," he replied.

Along the crowded avenue we marched, the guards showing unusual

cruelty toward us, as though we, too, had been implicated in the

murder of their fellow. The occasion was to serve as an object-lesson

to all other slaves of the danger and futility of attempted escape,

and the fatal consequences of taking the life of a superior being,

and so I imagine that Sagoths felt amply justified in making the

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