As I drew closer to listen
to their words a warrior entered the room from the hall beyond.
"Come, Tan Gama," he cried, "we are to take the Thark before Kab
Kadja. Bring another with you."
The warrior addressed arose and, beckoning to a fellow squatting
near, the three turned and left the apartment.
If I could but follow them the chance might come to free Tars Tarkas
at once. At least I would learn the location of his prison.
At my right was a door leading from the balcony into the building.
It was at the end of an unlighted hall, and on the impulse of
the moment I stepped within. The hall was broad and led straight
through to the front of the building. On either side were the
doorways of the various apartments which lined it.
I had no more than entered the corridor than I saw the three warriors
at the other end--those whom I had just seen leaving the apartment.
Then a turn to the right took them from my sight again. Quickly I
hastened along the hallway in pursuit. My gait was reckless, but
I felt that Fate had been kind indeed to throw such an opportunity
within my grasp, and I could not afford to allow it to elude me
now.
At the far end of the corridor I found a spiral stairway leading
to the floors above and below. The three had evidently left the
floor by this avenue. That they had gone down and not up I was
sure from my knowledge of these ancient buildings and the methods
of the Warhoons.
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