READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
"We have anticipated that question," replied Ranas Ghol.
"And the answer is affirmative."
Zithad and Tario exchanged triumphant glances. Sardon
Dhur could only watch Ranas Ghol in silent fascination.
"Provided that you consider some of own suggestions,"
added the Zumorian.
"Since your kind, alone, can see the future, you suggestions
are our greatest asset," said Tario. "Speak!"
"First," said Ranas Ghol, "the Thern, Sardon Dhur, can
furnish you, Tario, with an instrument of great value—which
you, alone, can use to a greater advantage than any of us."
The Thern frowned in puzzlement. The black-skinned
Dator of the First Born and the auburn-haired Lotharian
stared at him.
Ranas Ghol continued, addressing Sardon Dhur. "When
your Hekkador, Matai Shang, fell to his death in a crevasse in
the northern polar regions of Barsoom, various members of
your order formed a secret expedition—not to recover the
body of Matai Shang, but the Holy Diadem, which contains
the rare jewel known as the Star of Issus."
Sardon Dhur sprang to his feet, his sword half drawn.
"None shall take it from me!" he exclaimed. "The Holy
Diadem is the symbol of the Hekkador, and if anyone shall
wear it, it shall be worn by myself! For this have I preserved
it!"
Tario tensed. "The Star of Issus!" He looked at Ranas
Ghol. "You mean, the same jewel which—"
"Which you, yourself, created," said Ranas Ghol, "out of
that finer matter, tharton, which once existed in the quanta
from the sun—before the Cataclysm."
Sardon Dhur's mouth dropped open. "Which you created!"
he exclaimed,to Tario. "But how—"
"Long, long ago," said Tario, "I fashions two of them—the
greater, original stone for Issus, herself. But the Great Star of
Issus was lost with its sacred wearer, at the time of the
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