At the intelligence my heart sprang to my throat, for I was surethat the two were of those whom escaped in the dark grotto withHooja the Sly 0ne, and that Dian must be the woman. Ghak thoughtso too, as did Perry.

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

"Naught," he said in reply.

Along the crowded avenue we marched, the guards showing unusualcruelty toward us, as though we, too, had been implicated in themurder of their fellow. The occasion was to serve as an object-lessonto 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 theentire proceeding as uncomfortable and painful to us as possible.