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READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

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Tarzan on Mars<br />

Sardon Dhur and his small group of the higher orders<br />

still maintained contact, however, hoping and waiting for the<br />

day when things might change. And that change came, at last,<br />

with the appearance of Tario.<br />

"John Carter," said the Lotharian, "is well established. He<br />

is strong—too strong. And in that one fact lies the seed of his<br />

destruction, because the weapon which must now be used<br />

against him will be far more painful to him—and more<br />

enduring in its effect."<br />

"I am not averse to considering the destruction of the<br />

Warlord of Barsoom," replied Sardon Dhur, cautiously, "but<br />

why have you come to me? In what way would I fit into your<br />

scheme?"<br />

Furthermore, he wanted to say, where do you come in?<br />

But Tario read his thought. "Where do I come in?" he<br />

repeated, answering the unspoken question first. "I am the<br />

sole master of Barsoom. That point must be made quite clear<br />

at the outset. But I need loyal allies, and they shall benefit<br />

from their participation by realizing their fondest hopes and<br />

dreams."<br />

Sardon Dhur got to his feet. The two men were in his<br />

conference chamber in a small, secret palace which was still<br />

retained for him by the hidden underground organization of<br />

Therns.<br />

"You assume too much, Lotharian!" he exclaimed, his<br />

hand already on the hilt of his sword.<br />

But in the same instant his mind was taken over, and he<br />

seated himself once more in his chair, though not of his own<br />

volition. While he still remained in the irresistible mental grip<br />

of the other, he retained faculties to understand what his<br />

visitor was saying.<br />

"Do you not recall the ancient wizards of Barsoom who<br />

were the advisers to the genuine Issus, herself? Of such am<br />

I, Sardon Dhur. In fact, memory of the past ages through<br />

which I have lived slowly returns to me, and I recall the fact<br />

73

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