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the use of the ninth ray； one of the beautiful scintillations
which I had noted emanating from the great stone in my
host's diadem。
This ray is separated from the other rays of the sun by
means of finely adjusted instruments placed upon the roof
of the huge building； three…quarters of which is used for
reservoirs in which the ninth ray is stored。 This product is
then treated electrically； or rather certain proportions of
refined electric vibrations are incorporated with it； and the
result is then pumped to the five principal air centers of the
planet where； as it is released； contact with the ether of
space transforms it into atmosphere。
There is always sufficient reserve of the ninth ray stored in
the great building to maintain the present Martian atmosphere for
a thousand years； and the only fear； as my new friend told me；
was that some accident might befall the pumping apparatus。
He led me to an inner chamber where I beheld a battery
of twenty radium pumps any one of which was equal to the
task of furnishing all Mars with the atmosphere compound。
For eight hundred years； he told me； he had watched these
pumps which are used alternately a day each at a stretch； or
a little over twenty…four and one…half Earth hours。 He has one
assistant who divides the watch with him。 Half a Martian
year； about three hundred and forty…four of our days； each
of these men spend alone in this huge； isolated plant。
Every red Martian is taught during earliest childhood the
principles of the manufacture of atmosphere； but only two
at one time ever hold the secret of ingress to the great building；
which； built as it is with walls a hundred and fifty feet
thick； is absolutely unassailable； even the roof being guarded
from assault by air craft by a glass covering five feet thick。
The only fear they entertain of attack is from the green
Martians or some demented red man； as all Barsoomians
realize that the very existence of every form of life of Mars
is dependent upon the uninterrupted working of this plant。
One curious fact I discovered as I watched his thoughts
was that the outer doors are manipulated by telepathic
means。 The locks are so finely adjusted that the doors are
released by the action of a certain combination of thought
waves。 To experiment with my new…found toy I thought to
surprise him into revealing this combination and so I asked
him in a casual manner how he had managed to unlock the
massive doors for me from the inner chambers of the building。
As quick as a flash there leaped to his mind nine Martian sounds；
but as quickly faded as he answered that this was a secret
he must not divulge。
From then on his manner toward me changed as though he feared
that he had been surprised into divulging his great secret；
and I read suspicion and fear in his looks and thoughts；
though his words were still fair。
Before I retired for the night he promised to give me a
letter to a nearby agricultural officer who would help me on
my way to Zodanga； which he said； was the nearest Martian city。
〃But be sure that you do not let them know you are
bound for Helium as they are at war with that country。
My assistant and I are of no country； we belong to all Barsoom
and this talisman which we wear protects us in all lands；
even among the green menthough we do not trust ourselves
to their hands if we can avoid it；〃 he added。
〃And so good…night； my friend；〃 he continued； 〃may you
have a long and restful sleepyes； a long sleep。〃
And though he smiled pleasantly I saw in his thoughts the
wish that he had never admitted me； and then a picture of
him standing over me in the night； and the swift thrust of
a long dagger and the half formed words； 〃I am sorry； but it
is for the best good of Barsoom。〃
As he closed the door of my chamber behind him his
thoughts were cut off from me as was the sight of him； which
seemed strange to me in my little knowledge of thought
transference。
What was I to do？ How could I escape through these
mighty walls？ Easily could I kill him now that I was warned；
but once he was dead I could no more escape； and with the
stopping of the machinery of the great plant I should die
with all the other inhabitants of the planetall； even Dejah
Thoris were she not already dead。 For the others I did not
give the snap of my finger； but the thought of Dejah Thoris
drove from my mind all desire to kill my mistaken host。
Cautiously I opened the door of my apartment and； followed
by Woola； sought the inner of the great doors。 A wild
scheme had come to me； I would attempt to force the great
locks by the nine thought waves I had read in my host's mind。
Creeping stealthily through corridor after corridor and
down winding runways which turned hither and thither I
finally reached the great hall in which I had broken my long
fast that morning。 Nowhere had I seen my host； nor did I
know where he kept himself by night。
I was on the point of stepping boldly out into the room
when a slight noise behind me warned me back into the
shadows of a recess in the corridor。 Dragging Woola after
me I crouched low in the darkness。
Presently the old man passed close by me； and as he entered
the dimly lighted chamber which I had been about to
pass through I saw that he held a long thin dagger in his
hand and that he was sharpening it upon a stone。 In his mind
was the decision to inspect the radium pumps； which would
take about thirty minutes； and then return to my bed chamber
and finish me。
As he passed through the great hall and disappeared down
the runway which led to the pump…room； I stole stealthily
from my hiding place and crossed to the great door； the inner
of the three which stood between me and liberty。
Concentrating my mind upon the massive lock I hurled
the nine thought waves against it。 In breathless expectancy
I waited； when finally the great door moved softly toward
me and slid quietly to one side。 One after the other the
remaining mighty portals opened at my command and Woola
and I stepped forth into the darkness； free； but little better
off than we had been before； other than that we had full
stomachs。
Hastening away from the shadows of the formidable pile
I made for the first crossroad； intending to strike the central
turnpike as quickly as possible。 This I reached about morning
and entering the first enclosure I came to I searched for
some evidences of a habitation。
There were low rambling buildings of concrete barred
with heavy impassable doors； and no amount of hammering
and hallooing brought any response。 Weary and exhausted
from sleeplessness I threw myself upon the ground commanding
Woola to stand guard。
Some time later I was awakened by his frightful growlings
and opened my eyes to see three red Martians standing a
short distance from us and covering me with their rifles。
〃I am unarmed and no enemy；〃 I hastened to explain。 〃I
have been a prisoner among the green men and am on my
way to Zodanga。 All I ask is food and rest for myself and
my calot and the proper directions for reaching my destination。〃
They lowered their rifles and advanced pleasantly toward
me placing their right hands upon my left shoulder； after the
manner of their custom of salute； and asking me many questions
about myself and my wanderings。 They then took me to the
house of one of them which was only a short distance away。
The buildings I had been hammering at in the early
morning were occupied only by stock and farm produce；
the house proper standing among a grove of enormous trees；
and； like all red…Martian homes； had been raised at night
some forty or fifty feet from the ground on a large round
metal shaft which slid up or down within a sleeve sunk in
the ground； and was operated by a tiny radium engine in
the entrance hall of the building。 Instead of bothering with
bolts and bars for their dwellings； the red Martians simply
run them up out of harm's way during the night。 They also
have private means for lowering or raising them from the
ground without if they wish to go away and leave them。
These brothers； with their wives and children； occupied three
similar houses on this farm。 They did no work themselves；
being government officers in charge。 The labor was
performed by convicts； prisoners of war； delinquent debtors
and confirmed bachelors who were too poor to pay the high
celibate tax which all red…Martian governments impose。
They were the personification of cordiality and hospitality
and I spent several days with them； resting and recuperating
from my long and arduous experiences。
When they had heard my storyI omitted all reference
to Dejah Thoris and the old man of the atmosphere plant
they advised me to color my body to more nearly resemble
their own race and then attempt to find employment in Zodan