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actuates the steering mechanism； diverting the bow of the flier away from
the obstacle until the craft's radio…activity sphere is no longer in contact
with the obstruction； then she falls once more into her normal course。
Should the disturbance approach from the rear； as in case of a faster…
moving craft overhauling me； the mechanism actuates the speed control as
well as the steering gear； and the flier shoots ahead and either up or down；
as the oncoming vessel is upon a lower or higher plane than herself。
〃In aggravated cases； that is when the obstructions are many； or of
such a nature as to deflect the bow more than forty…five degrees in any
direction； or when the craft has reached its destination and dropped to
within a hundred yards of the ground； the mechanism brings her to a full
stop； at the same time sounding a loud alarm which will instantly awaken
the pilot。 You see I have anticipated almost every contingency。〃
Thuvan Dihn smiled his appreciation of the marvellous device。 The
forward servant pushed almost to the flier's side。 His eyes were narrowed
to slits。
〃All but one；〃 he said。
The nobles looked at him in astonishment； and one of them grasped
the fellow none too gently by the shoulder to push him back to his proper
place。 Carthoris raised his hand。
〃Wait；〃 he urged。 〃Let us hear what the man has to sayno creation
of mortal mind is perfect。 Perchance he has detected a weakness that it
will be well to know at once。 Come； my good fellow； and what may be
the one contingency I have overlooked？〃
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As he spoke Carthoris observed the servant closely for the first time。
He saw a man of giant stature and handsome； as are all those of the race of
Martian red men； but the fellow's lips were thin and cruel； and across one
cheek was the faint； white line of a sword…cut from the right temple to the
corner of the mouth。
〃Come；〃 urged the Prince of Helium。 〃Speak！〃
The man hesitated。 It was evident that he regretted the temerity that
had made him the centre of interested observation。 But at last； seeing no
alternative； he spoke。
〃It might be tampered with；〃 he said； 〃by an enemy。〃
Carthoris drew a small key from his leathern pocket…pouch。
〃Look at this；〃 he said； handing it to the man。 〃If you know aught of
locks； you will know that the mechanism which this unlooses is beyond
the cunning of a picker of locks。 It guards the vitals of the instrument from
crafty tampering。 Without it an enemy must half wreck the device to reach
its heart； leaving his handiwork apparent to the most casual observer。〃
The servant took the key； glanced at it shrewdly； and then as he made
to return it to Carthoris dropped it upon the marble flagging。 Turning to
look for it he planted the sole of his sandal full upon the glittering object。
For an instant he bore all his weight upon the foot that covered the key；
then he stepped back and with an exclamation as of pleasure that he had
found it； stooped； recovered it； and returned it to the Heliumite。 Then he
dropped back to his station behind the nobles and was forgotten。
A moment later Carthoris had made his adieux to Thuvan Dihn and his
nobles； and with lights twinkling had risen into the star…shot void of the
Martian night。
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THUVIA； MAID OF MARS
CHAPTER II
SLAVERY
As the ruler of Ptarth； followed by his courtiers； descended from the
landing…stage above the palace； the servants dropped into their places in
the rear of their royal or noble masters； and behind the others one lingered
to the last。 Then quickly stooping he snatched the sandal from his right
foot； slipping it into his pocket…pouch。
When the party had come to the lower levels； and the jeddak had
dispersed them by a sign； none noticed that the forward fellow who had
drawn so much attention to himself before the Prince of Helium departed；
was no longer among the other servants。
To whose retinue he had been attached none had thought to inquire； for
the followers of a Martian noble are many； coming and going at the whim
of their master； so that a new face is scarcely ever questioned； as the fact
that a man has passed within the palace walls is considered proof positive
that his loyalty to the jeddak is beyond question； so rigid is the
examination of each who seeks service with the nobles of the court。
A good rule that； and only relaxed by courtesy in favour of the retinue
of visiting royalty from a friendly foreign power。
It was late in the morning of the next day that a giant serving man in
the harness of the house of a great Ptarth noble passed out into the city
from the palace gates。 Along one broad avenue and then another he strode
briskly until he had passed beyond the district of the nobles and had come
to the place of shops。 Here he sought a pretentious building that rose
spire…like toward the heavens； its outer walls elaborately wrought with
delicate carvings and intricate mosaics。
It was the Palace of Peace in which were housed the representatives of
the foreign powers； or rather in which were located their embassies； for
the ministers themselves dwelt in gorgeous palaces within the district
occupied by the nobles。
Here the man sought the embassy of Dusar。 A clerk arose
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THUVIA； MAID OF MARS
questioningly as he entered； and at his request to have a word with the
minister asked his credentials。 The visitor slipped a plain metal armlet
from above his elbow； and pointing to an inscription upon its inner surface；
whispered a word or two to the clerk。
The latter's eyes went wide； and his attitude turned at once to one of
deference。 He bowed the stranger to a seat； and hastened to an inner
room with the armlet in his hand。 A moment later he reappeared and
conducted the caller into the presence of the minister。
For a long time the two were closeted together； and when at last the
giant serving man emerged from the inner office his expression was cast in
a smile of siniste