sides, he had but
one chance for escape.

Choosing at random one of several doors on either side of the corridor,
Tharn pushed it open, and still keeping an eye on the men outside,
slipped within a softly lighted room. After gently closing the door, he
turned--to stare into the startled eyes of the princess Alurna!

* * * * *

Tharn's first thought was that the girl would cry out in terror at his
sudden entrance. Before she could recover her wits he had grasped her
about the waist with one arm, at the same time clapping a hand across
her lips.

Alurna lay within the circle of that mighty arm, making no effort to
free herself. She was desperately afraid, more afraid than she could
remember before.

The cave-man found himself on the horns of a dilemma. He had no wish to
slay a woman; indeed he knew he could not, no matter what the
provocation. On the other hand, were he to free her, she could have the
guards here within seconds.

Their eyes met. Tharn was surprised that all trace of fear was masked
within the cool gray-green depths, although the rapid pounding of her
heart told him she was frightened.

Revealed to him with the quick intuition of a wild creature was
something of this girl's true nature. He sensed she could be coldly
calculating; that neither qualm nor principle would keep her from
furthering her own ends. That, given the chance, she would betray him,
he never doubted; but something told him she would never be driven to a
rash act through ungovernable hysteria alone.

He removed his hand from her mouth, but held it ready to silence her
again.

"What," whispered Alurna, "do you want here?"

Tharn shook his head. Any discussion, now, would be pointless. He must
go on. At the far end of the room was a large unbarred opening--a
possible avenue of escape.

Hesitating no longer he released the girl, pushed her aside and made for
the window.

Alurna, confident now that this nocturnal prowler meant her no harm,
remained standing where he had left her. While awaiting his next move,
she fell to studying him from across the room.

He was the embodiment of physical perfection; certainly the most
beautifully formed male she had ever seen before. The smooth brown body
bespoke of suppleness and the nimble agility of a cat, despite banded
layers of iron muscles rippling beneath an unclouded skin.

The face, with its frank, grave eyes, impressed her as being both
handsome