positions back of the Earthly visitors. The Kofedix went to the door.
Nalboon brushed him aside and entered, escorted by a full company of
heavily-armed soldiery. A scowl of anger was upon his face and he was
plainly in an ugly mood.

"Stop, Nalboon of Mardonale!" thundered Seaton in the Mardonalian tongue
and with the full power of his mighty voice. "Dare you invade my privacy
unannounced and without invitation?"

The escort shrank back, but the Domak stood his ground, although he was
plainly taken aback. With an apparent effort he smoothed his face into
lines of cordiality.

"I merely came to inquire why my guards are slain and my palace
destroyed by my honored guest?"

"As for slaying your guards, they sought to invade my privacy. I warned
them away, but one of them was foolish enough to try to kill me. Then
the others attempted to raise their childish rifles against me, and I
was obliged to destroy them. As for the wall, it happened to be in the
way of the thought-waves I hurled against your guards--consequently it
was demolished. An honored guest! Bah! Are honored guests put to the
indignity of being touched by the filthy hands of a mere ladex?"

"You do not object to the touch of slaves!" with a wave of his hand
toward the Kondalians.

"That is what slaves are for," coldly. "Is a Domak to wait upon himself
in the court of Mardonale? But to return to the issue. Were I an honored
guest this would never have happened. Know, Nalboon, that when you
attempt to treat a visiting Domak of MY race as a low-born captive, you
must be prepared to suffer the consequences of your rashness!"

"May I ask how you, so recently ignorant, know our language?"

"You question me? That is bold! Know that I, the Boss of the Road, show
ignorance or knowledge, when and where I please. You may go."

CHAPTER XV

The Escape from Mardonale

"That was a wonderful bluff, Dick!" exclaimed the Kofedix in English as
soon as Nalboon and his guards had disappeared. "That was exactly the
tone to take with him, too--you've sure got him guessing!"

"It seemed to get him, all right, but I'm wondering how long it'll hold
him. I think we'd better make a dash for the Skylark right now, before
he has time to think it over, don't you?"

"That is undoubtedly the best way," Dunark replied, lapsing into his own
tongue. "Nalboon is plainly in awe of you now, but if I understand him
at all, he is more than ever determined to seize your vessel,