“That is the man’s work,” said Gura. “It is for you to plan the way.” “And you?” asked Tanar. “You wish to come away with us?” “Do not think of me,” said Gura. “If you and Stellara can escape, I do not matter.” “But you do matter,” said the man, “and I am sure that you do not wish to stay in Korsar.” “No, I do not wish to remain in Korsar,” replied the girl, “and particularly so now that The Cid seems to have taken a fancy to me.” “You wish to return to Hime?” asked Tanar. “After the brief taste of happiness I have had,” replied the girl, “I could not return to the quarrels, the hatred and the constant unhappiness that constitute life within the cave of Scurv and which would be but continued in some other cave were I to take a mate in Hime.” “Then come with us,” said the Sarian. “Oh, if I only might!” exclaimed Gura. “Then that is settled,” exclaimed Tanar. “You shall come with us and if we reach Sari I know that you can find peace and happiness for yourself always.” “It sounds like a dream,” said the girl, wistfully, “from which I shall awaken in the cave of Scurv.” “We shall make the dream come true,” said the Sarian, “and now let us plan on how best we can get you and Stellara out of the palace of The Cid.” “That will not be so easy,” said Gura. “No, it is the most difficult part of our escape,” agreed the Sarian; “but it must be done and I believe that the bolder the plan the greater its assurance of success.” “And it must be done at once,” said Gura, “for the wedding arrangements are completed and Bulf is impatient for his mate.” For a moment Tanar stood in thought, seeking to formulate some plan that might contain at least a semblance of feasibility. “Can you bring Stellara to this gate at once?” he asked Gura. “If she is alone, yes,” replied the girl. “Then go and fetch her and wait here with her until I return. My signal will be a low whistle. When you hear it, unlatch the gate.” “I shall return as quickly as possible,” said Gura, and, as Tanar stepped through the doorway into the barrack yards, he closed and latched the gate behind him. The Sarian looked about him and was delighted to note that apparently no one had seen him emerge from the garden. Instead of returning along the front of the barracks the way he had come, he turned in the opposite direction and made his way directly to one of the main gates of the palace. And this strategy was prompted also by another motive—he wished to ascertain if he could pass the guard at the main gate without being challenged. Tanar had not adopted the garments of his captors and was still conspicuous by the scant attire and simple ornaments of a savage warrior and already his comings and goings had made him a familiar figure around the palace yard and in the Korsar streets beyond. But he had never passed through a palace gate alone before; nor without the ever present Fitt.