“Read it,” commanded P’an-ku. Kai Lo Khan unrolled the scroll, cleared his throat, and read: _Her Imperial Majesty, Maza an Ma Gong to His Royal Highness, P’an-ku an Peilong_ Greeting: Surrender the person of Ted Dustin, living and unharmed, and Peilong will be spared. Refuse, and my army will destroy it utterly. _Maza an Ma Gong_ “Tell her,” thundered P’an-ku, “that Ted Dustin will this day be made to suffer the death of the hot oil. Tell her further, that we are prepared for her attack, and that—” “Pardon, O just and mighty Dictator of the Universe!” It was Dr. Wu who had interrupted. The courtiers looked at him in amazement, apparently expecting P’an-ku to have him executed for his temerity, but he continued. “May your worthless slave from Du Gong suggest a plan?” “Speak,” replied P’an-ku. “Would it please Your Majesty to have the white Princess as a prisoner?” “Nothing would suit me better,” replied P’an-ku. “Tzien Khan, here, could very quickly persuade her to become my queen, could you not, my Khan of the Torture Chambers?” “Assuredly, O King of the Age, if she should be so foolish as to need such persuasion,” replied Tzien Khan with a bow. “After which,” continued P’an-ku, “with her armies and her wealth at my disposal, I could quickly bring both Du Gong and Lu Gong under my undisputed sway. But what is your plan, Dr. Wu?” “It is apparent from her message,” said the wily doctor, “that the Princess loves this Ted Dustin. If the prisoner, therefore, or someone purporting to be the prisoner, were sent out, she would not overlook an opportunity for speech with him.” “Very likely,” replied P’an-ku. “I suggest therefore,” continued the crafty doctor, “that you dress one of your white prisoners who is about the size of Ted Dustin in a suit of insulating armor and glass helmet of the kind worn by the people of Ultu. Send a note to the Princess stating that you will constitute Ted Dustin your messenger for a peace parley at a point half way between the western gate and the front line of her army, stipulating that she be accompanied by not more than ten unmounted men, and that a like number will accompany Ted Dustin. “Men can be posted at suitable points along the wall with green ray projectors to lay down a barrage at a prearranged signal. This will prevent her from getting back to her army, or prevent the army from reaching her. In the meantime, her guard can easily be destroyed and the Princess taken prisoner.” “What think you of this plan, Kai Lo Khan?” asked P’an-ku. “It sounds feasible, O Bright and Shining Cousin of the Sun,” replied the Khan of Scouts, cautiously. “And you, Tzien Khan?” “I believe it would work, O Lord of Worlds,” replied the Khan of Torturers.