“A captive!” gasped Robert, clutching at his heart. His Zola a prisoner of that ogre, Kharnov! “Here is an ultimatum just received from the beast,” resumed Hakon, dully, handing Robert a folded document. Robert unfolded the paper. “Your daughter will come to no harm provided you capitulate by noon tomorrow,” it read in effect. “The dog!” cried Robert. “How did he contrive to get her into his possession?” “This was found in her room,” said Hakon, handing him a small crumpled piece of paper. To his surprize it had his name at the bottom, although it was written in Martian. Zola did not understand his own tongue. On the paper was written: “I am a prisoner. Unless you come to intercede for me with the emperor, I shall be put to death at dawn. Robert.” Surely love is blind! Else she would have known that he could not have written such a wantonly selfish plea. “This is a false message, of course,” said Robert, wondering whether Hakon believed him the author of such a note. “I know it, my boy.” “We must strike quickly,” said Robert. “Let me lead an attack at once. Nothing short of a complete routing of their entire army will satisfy me.” Hakon smiled at his fierce enthusiasm. “Even now an attack on a tremendous scale is organized,” he said. “It will take place just before dawn at a signal to be given all divisions simultaneously. You may direct the center.” “Say, where do I come in?” broke in Taggert. “Come along with me, old man. We’ll scrap together.” “Fair enough. We’ll knock his Nib’s royal block off.” Sleep that night was out of the question. As dawn approached, Robert absorbed the details of the gigantic offensive at a conference with several of the leaders. Everyone was on the alert. The governor’s daughter was a great favorite and greatly admired for her character and beauty. Every man knew of her danger and, with such an incentive to success they would be all but invincible. When finally the signal for the general advance came over the wires, ths big army started forward in three giant columns, cautiously at first until their attack should have been observed. The absence of aircraft--because of the thin Martian atmosphere which made them impracticable--made it possible for them to make considerable progress before the enemy was aware of their supposed victims’ offensive. It was agreed that upon the discovery of the advance of any column, that column would at once fire a rocket as the signal for a general rush upon the enemy from all points. * * * * * Robert’s column had advanced unobserved well over half-way to the enemy’s lines. Suddenly a rocket flashed heavenward from the right column. His men needed not Robert’s shouted command as they dashed madly after him toward the startled enemy less than a mile ahead. With the rapid pace made possible on Mars by the weak gravity, they covered the intervening distance in about two minutes.