Part 25 (1/2)

”And yet,” he said slowly, ”we may be able to make use of this information If I could be sureOrbar! Call torapidly, now, his face flushed with excitement ”This may be the day of our deliverance!”

Tharn lay flat on his back on a heap of furs and watched a pattern of sunlight on the wall above his head Today was his second as a captive, and already his patience earing thin He knehy the other cave-men imprisoned here wore constant expressions of aloof sullenness

To be cooped behind rock walls day after day instead of being free to roah to sour any temper

He wondered where Katon had been taken Shortly after the noondaywhispered conversation with two of the guards--a conversation of considerable ie fro to Tharn about it in the hour between the conference and the arrival of twoto find an answer to the puzzle and dozed off He akened a half hour later by the sound of the cell door opening He raised his head in tiuards

Without hesitation the three approached Tharn's couch and he rose to meet the for you”

The cave man did not ,” Katon explained ih of it to send for you”

Tharn was satisfied He could trust Katon Besides, it would be good to quit this dank place--if only for a little while

Heedless of curious stares from the other prisoners, Tharn and Katon passed fro the way And shortly afterward they stopped before the door of Urim's apartment In response to their knock, a hollow voice bade thee in the man who slumped dejectedly on a couch near the far wall In place of the proud ruler who had ordered him to the pits, was a hollow-cheeked, sunken-eyed old man

At the entrance of Tharn and the others, Uriray eyes of the giant savage Under their quiet, syleam of hope flickered into his own tired eyes and he squared his shoulders

”Have you told this man of your plan?” he asked Katon

”No, Uriht wish to do so”

Urim transferred his attention to the cave-hter was taken by a band of Hairy Men What do you know about such men?”

Tharn smiled ”Since I was a little boy I have heard ht the Hairy Ones They are slow and clumsy and do not think quickly The warriors of my tribe do not fear them”

”Good!” Urim exclaimed ”Noill tell you why I sent for you

”When Katon, here, was told by one of the guards that Alurna had been taken, he caestion He thinks that by reason of your wide knowledge of the world outside our walls, you ht be able to trail these Hairy Men to their caves and rescue hter--if she still lives

”Do this, and you and your o free--and Katon, too But if you fail to return with Alurna within the moon, the life of your htfully ”If I do not find your daughter, yet return alone, what reward is h you had not set foot beyond Sephar's gates”

”Which means I must take part in the Games; and Dylara re aloud