The Mahar looked at me in silence for some time after I ceased speaking and the Sagoth had translated my words to his master. The creature seemed deep in thought. Presently he communicated some message to the Sagoth. The latter turned, and motioning me to follow him, left the presence of the reptile. Behind and on either side of me marched the balance of the guard. "What are they going to do with me?" I asked the fellow at my right. "You are to appear before the learned ones who will question you regarding this strange world from which you say you come." After a moment's silence he turned to me again. "Do you happen to know," he asked, "what the Mahars do to slaves who lie to them?" "No," I replied, "nor does it interest me, as I have no intention of lying to the Mahars." "Then be careful that you don't repeat the impossible tale you told Sol-to-to just now--another world, indeed, where human beings rule!" he concluded in fine scorn. "But it is the truth," I insisted. "From where else then did I come? I am not of Pellucidar. Anyone with half an eye could see that." "It is your misfortune then," he remarked dryly, "that you may not be judged by one with but half an eye." "What will they do with me," I asked, "if they do not have a mind to believe me?" "You may be sentenced to the arena, or go to the pits to be used in research work by the learned ones," he replied. "And what will they do with me there?" I persisted. "No one knows except the Mahars and those who go to the pits with them, but as the latter never return, their knowledge does them but little good. It is said that the learned ones cut up their subjects while they are yet alive, thus learning many useful things. However I should not imagine that it would prove very useful to him who was being cut up; but of course this is all but conjecture. The chances are that ere long you will know much more about it than I," and he grinned as he spoke. The Sagoths have a well-developed sense of humor. "And suppose it is the arena," I continued; "what then?" "You saw the two who met the tarag and the thag the time that you escaped?" he said. "Yes." "Your end in the arena would be similar to what was intended for them," he explained, "though of course the same kinds of animals might not be employed." "It is sure death in either event?" I asked. "What becomes of those who go below with the learned ones I do not know, nor does any other," he replied; "but those who go to the arena may come out alive and thus regain their liberty, as did the two whom you saw." "They gained their liberty? And how?"