There were no
nights to mask our attempted escape. All must be done in broad
daylight--all but the work I had to do in the apartment beneath the
building. So we determined to put our plan to an immediate test
lest the Mahars who made it possible should awake before I reached
them; but we were doomed to disappointment, for no sooner had
we reached the main floor of the building on our way to the pits
beneath, than we encountered hurrying bands of slaves being hastened
under strong Sagoth guard out of the edifice to the avenue beyond.
Other Sagoths were darting hither and thither in search of other
slaves, and the moment that we appeared we were pounced upon and
hustled into the line of marching humans.
What the purpose or nature of the general exodus we did not know,
but presently through the line of captives ran the rumor that two
escaped slaves had been recaptured--a man and a woman--and that we
were marching to witness their punishment, for the man had killed
a Sagoth of the detachment that had pursued and overtaken them.
At the intelligence my heart sprang to my throat, for I was sure
that the two were of those who escaped in the dark grotto with
Hooja the Sly One, and that Dian must be the woman. Ghak thought
so too, as did Perry.
"Is there naught that we may do to save her?" I asked Ghak.
"Naught," he replied.
Along the crowded avenue we marched, the guards showing unusual
cruelty toward us, as though we, too, had been implicated in the
murder of their fellow.
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