iries on the
part of Luud and finally resulted in suggesting to Tara of Helium a
plan whereby she might find a new opportunity of escape.

"I am accustomed to walking in the fresh air and the sunlight," she
told Ghek. "I cannot become as I was before if I am to be always shut
away in this one chamber, breathing poor air and getting no proper
exercise. Permit me to go out in the fields every day and walk about
while the sun is shining. Then, I am sure, I shall become nice and fat."

"You would run away," he said.

"But how could I if you were always with me?" she asked. "And even if I
wished to run away where could I go? I do not know even the direction
of Helium. It must be very far. The very first night the banths would
get me, would they not?"

"They would," said Ghek. "I will ask Luud about it."

The following day he told her that Luud had said that she was to be
taken into the fields. He would try that for a time and see if she
improved.

"If you do not grow fatter he will send for you anyway," said Ghek;
"but he will not use you for food."

Tara of Helium shuddered.

That day and for many days thereafter she was taken from the tower,
through the enclosure and out into the fields. Always was she alert for
an opportunity to escape; but Ghek was always close by her side. It was
not so much his presence that deterred her from making the attempt as
the number of workers that were always between her and the hills where
the flier lay. She could easily have eluded Ghek, but there were too
many of the others. And then, one day, Ghek told her as he accompanied
her into the open that this would be the last time.

"Tonight you go to Luud," he said. "I am sorry as I shall not hear you
sing again."

"Tonight!" She scarce breathed the word, yet it was vibrant with horror.

She glanced quickly toward the hills. They were so close! Yet between
were the inevitable workers--perhaps a score of them.

"Let us walk over there?" she said, indicating them. "I should like to
see what they are doing."

"It is too far," said Ghek. "I hate the sun. It is much pleasanter here
where I can stand beneath the shade of this tree."

"All right," she agreed; "then you stay here and I will walk over. It
will take me but a minute."

"No," he answered. "I will go with you. You want to escape; but you are
not going to."

"I cannot escape," she said.

"I know it," agreed Ghek; "but you might try. I do not wish you to try.
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