That the bearer of
the note was a Zodangan would be sufficient to explain to Carthoris
that I was a prisoner of Zat Arras.
It was with feelings of excited expectancy which I could scarce
hide that I heard the youth's approach upon the occasion of his
next regular visit. I did not speak beyond my accustomed greeting
of him. As he placed the food upon the floor by my side he also
deposited writing materials at the same time.
My heart fairly bounded for joy. I had won my point. For a moment
I looked at the materials in feigned surprise, but soon I permitted
an expression of dawning comprehension to come into my face,
and then, picking them up, I penned a brief order to Carthoris to
deliver to Parthak a harness of his selection and the short-sword
which I described. That was all. But it meant everything to me
and to Carthoris.
I laid the note open upon the floor. Parthak picked it up and,
without a word, left me.
As nearly as I could estimate, I had at this time been in the pits
for three hundred days. If anything was to be done to save Dejah
Thoris it must be done quickly, for, were she not already dead,
her end must soon come, since those whom Issus chose lived but a
single year.
The next time I heard approaching footsteps I could scarce await
to see if Parthak wore the harness and the sword, but judge, if you
can, my chagrin and disappointment when I saw that he who bore my
food was not Parthak.
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