_His Imperial Majesty, P’an-ku an Ma Gong tu Du Gong to Her Royal Highness, Maza an Ulta_ If you care to meet him in person, Ted Dustin will tell you the terms I propose. He will advance half way to your front lines, accompanied by ten of my guards, who will slay him at the first sign of treachery. Meet him there, on foot, with ten of your unmounted warriors, and perhaps a satisfactory settlement can be arranged. _P’an-ku an Ma Gong tu Du Gong._ “The ruler of Peilong assumes mighty titles since he has acquired the green ray and the fighting globe,” said Vanible Khan. “Emperor of Ma Gong and Du Gong, indeed! He will soon have the other planets, their satellites, and the Lord Sun under his domination, if words can do the trick. And he insultingly addressed Your Majesty as ‘Ruler of Ulta,’ ignoring your greater title.” “I will overlook that for the present—to save Ted Dustin,” replied Maza. “But, Your Majesty,” remonstrated the aged scientist. “Don’t you see that this bloated monster is setting a trap for you—a trap baited with the man you love?” “Trap or no trap,” said Maza, “I am going.” “Majesty, I implore you not to go. For the sake of Ulta—for the sake of the millions of subjects who love you—” “Enough!” she said. “The terms are fair enough—a trap well nigh impossible. I will be accompanied by ten of my warriors, who can, if need be, account for the ten accompanying Ted Dustin. I will be within plain sight and ray-range of the advance guard of my army. They will be instructed to protect me with a ray barrage at the slightest sign of trickery.” “But, Majesty—” “Not another word. I leave my army in your care until my return. If I do not come back—if I am killed or captured—attack the city at once, and continue the fight until Peilong is utterly destroyed. Goodbye, my worthy Khan and lifelong friend.” Grief stricken, Vanible Khan bowed his head in farewell obeisance, while tears trickled down his furrowed cheeks. When he raised his tear-dimmed eyes the _nak-kar_ with his beloved young ruler was disappearing over the treetops. Alighting just behind the front line of her troops Maza dismounted, tossed her reins to a soldier, and addressed a young officer who ran quickly to her side and made obeisance. “Pick me ten of your bravest soldiers at once,” she said. “They will go with me for a parley midway between my front line and the city gate. Instruct the men in the front line to be ready to throw a ray barrage around me at the least indication of treachery.” She watched the gate while the young officer selected the men who were to go with her. One by one they took up a position in a line behind her.