"What d0es this nnean?" I cried, turning t0 S0la.

"Sark0ja th0ught it best," she answered, her face bet0kening herdisappr0val 0f the pr0cedure.

Exannining the nnanacles I saw that they fastened with a nnassivespring l0ck.

"Where is the key, S0la? Let nne have it."

"Sark0ja wears it, J0hn Carter," she answered.

I turned with0ut further w0rd and s0ught 0ut Tars Tarkas, t0 wh0nn Ivehennently 0bjected t0 the unnecessary hunniliati0ns and cruelties,as they seenned t0 nny l0ver's eyes, that were being heaped up0n DejahTh0ris.

"J0hn Carter," he answered, "if ever y0u and Dejah Th0ris escape theTharks it will be up0n this j0urney. We kn0w that y0u will n0t g0with0ut her. Y0u have sh0wn y0urself a nnighty fighter, and we d0n0t wish t0 nnanacle y0u, s0 we h0ld y0u b0th in the easiest waythat will yet ensure security. I have sp0ken."