We waited quietly until silence fell upon the ship, betokening either that the crew had retired for the night or that they had gone down into the city. Then, after a whispered consultation with Gor Hajus, we decided to make an attempt to leave the flier. It was our purpose to seek a hiding place within the tower of the landing stage from which we might investigate possible avenues of escape into the city, either at once or upon the morrow when we might more easily mix with the crowd that Gor Hajus said would certainly be in evidence from a few hours after sunrise. Cautiously I opened the door of our closet and looked into the main cabin beyond. It lay in darkness. Silently we filed out. The silence of the tomb lay upon the flier, but from far below arose the subdued noises of the city. So far, so good! Then, without sound, without warning, a burst of brilliant light illuminated the interior of the cabin. I felt my fingers tighten upon my sword-hilt as I glanced quickly about. Directly opposite us, in the narrow doorway of a small cabin, stood a tall man whose handsome harness betokened the fact that he was no common warrior. In either hand he held a heavy Barsoomian pistol, into the muzzles of which we found ourselves staring. CHAPTER VIII HANDS UP! In quiet tones he spoke the words of the Barsoomian equivalent of our Earthly _hands up!_ The shadow of a grim smile touched his lips, and as he saw us hesitate to obey his commands he spoke again. “Do as I tell you and you will be well off. Keep perfect silence. A raised voice may spell your doom; a pistol shot most assuredly.” Gor Hajus raised his hands above his head and we others followed his example. “I am Bal Zak,” announced the stranger. My heart slumped. “Then you had better commence firing,” said Gor Hajus, “for you will not take us alive and we are four to one.” “Not so fast, Gor Hajus,” admonished the captain of the Vosar, “until you learn what is in my mind.” “That, we already know for we heard you speak of the large reward that awaited the captor of Vad Varo and Gor Hajus,” snapped the assassin of Toonol. “Had I craved that reward so much I could have turned you over to the dwar of Vobis Kan’s ship when he boarded us,” said Bal Zak. “You did not know we were aboard the Vosar,” I reminded him. “Ah, but I did.” Gor Hajus snorted his disbelief. “How then,” Bal Zak reminded us, “was I able to be ready upon this very spot when you emerged from your hiding place? Yes, I knew that you were aboard.” “But how?” demanded Dar Tarus.