scientists discuss the future of the red race and she recalled that some had maintained that eventually the brain would entirely dominate the man.  There would be no more instinctive acts or emotions, nothing would be done on impulse; but on the contrary reason would direct our every act.  The propounder of the theory regretted that he might never enjoy the blessings of such a state, which, he argued, would result in the ideal life for mankind.

Tara of Helium wished with all her heart that this learned scientist might be here to experience to the full the practical results of the fulfillment of his prophecy.  Between the purely physical rykor and the purely mental kaldane there was little choice; but in the happy medium of normal, and imperfect man, as she knew him, lay the most desirable state of existence.  It would have been a splendid object lesson, she thought, to all those idealists who seek mass perfection in any phase of human endeavor, since 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.”