d its head against his hand.

With a sudden click a door in the wall opened. The Ana got to its feet
and ran to greet the newcomers. The chieftain of the Folk, he who had
first discovered Garin, entered, followed by several of his fellows.

The flyer sat up. Not only was the pain gone but he felt stronger and
younger than he had for weary months. Exultingly, he stretched wide his
arms and grinned at the lizard-being who murmured happily in return.

Lizard-men busied themselves about Garin, girding on him the short kilt
and jewel-set belt which were the only clothing of the Caverns. When
they were finished, the chieftain took his hand and drew him to the
door.

They traversed a hallway whose walls were carved and inlaid with
glittering stones and metalwork, coming, at last, into a huge cavern,
the outer walls of which were hidden by shadows. On a dais stood three
tall thrones and Garin was conducted to the foot of these.

The highest throne was of rose crystal. On its right was one of green
jade, worn smooth by centuries of time. At the left was the third,
carved of a single block of jet. The rose throne and that of jet were
unoccupied, but in the seat of jade reposed one of the Folk. He was
taller than his fellows, and in his eyes, as he stared at Garin, was
wisdom--and a brooding sadness.

"It is well!" The words resounded in the flyer's head. "We have chosen
wisely. This youth is fit to mate with the Daughter. But he will be
tried, as fire tries metal. He must win the Daughter forth and strive
with Kepta--"

A hissing murmur echoed through the hall. Garin guessed that hundreds of
the Folk must be gathered there.

"Urg!" the being on the throne commanded.

The chieftain moved a step toward the dais.

"Do you take this youth and instruct him. And then will I speak with him
again. For--" sadness colored the words now--"we would have the rose
throne filled again and the black one blasted into dust. Time moves
swiftly."

The Chieftain led a wondering Garin away.

_CHAPTER THREE_

_Garin Hears of the Black Ones_

Urg brought the flyer into one of the bubble-shaped rooms which
contained a low, cushioned bench facing a metal screen--and here they
seated themselves.

What followed was a language lesson. On the screen appeared objects
which Urg would name, to have his sibilant uttering repeated by Garin.
As the American later learned, the ray treatment he had undergone had
quickened his mental powers