ince here they might discover the truth that
absolute perfection is as little to be desired as is its antithesis.

Gloomy were the thoughts that filled the mind of Tara of Helium as she
awaited the summons from Luud--the summons that could mean for her but
one thing; death. She guessed why he had sent for her and she knew that
she must find the means for self-destruction before the night was over;
but still she clung to hope and to life. She would not give up until
there was no other way. She startled Ghek once by exclaiming aloud,
almost fiercely: "I still live!"

"What do you mean?" asked the kaldane.

"I mean just what I say," she replied. "I still live and while I live I
may still find a way. Dead, there is no hope."

"Find a way to what?" he asked.

"To life and liberty and mine own people," she responded.

"None who enters Bantoom ever leaves," he droned.

She did not reply and after a time he spoke again. "Sing to me," he
said.

It was while she was singing that four warriors came to take her to
Luud. They told Ghek that he was to remain where he was.

"Why?" asked Ghek.

"You have displeased Luud," replied one of the warriors.

"How?" demanded Ghek.

"You have demonstrated a lack of uncontaminated reasoning power. You
have permitted sentiment to influence you, thus demonstrating that you
are a defective. You know the fate of defectives."

"I know the fate of defectives, but I am no defective," insisted Ghek.

"You permitted the strange noises which issue from her throat to please
and soothe you, knowing well that their origin and purpose had nothing
whatever to do with logic or the powers of reason. This in itself
constitutes an unimpeachable indictment of weakness. Then, influenced
doubtless by an illogical feeling of sentiment, you permitted her to
walk abroad in the fields to a place where she was able to make an
almost successful attempt to escape. Your own reasoning power, were it
not defective, would convince you that you are unfit. The natural, and
reasonable, consequence is destruction. Therefore you will be destroyed
in such a way that the example will be beneficial to all other kaldanes
of the swarm of Luud. In the meantime you will remain where you are."

"You are right," said Ghek. "I will remain here until Luud sees fit to
destroy me in the most reasonable manner."

Tara of Helium shot a look of amazement at him as they led her from the
chamber. Over her shoulder she called back t