Page:The gods of Mars.djvu/16

x know, and which though I have died thrice and shall die again tonight, as you know death, I am as unable to fathom as are you.

"Even the wise and mysterious therns of Barsoom, that ancient cult which for countless ages has been credited with holding the secret of life and death in their impregnable fastnesses upon the hither slopes of the Mountains of Otz, are as ignorant as we. I have proved it, though I near lost my life in the doing of it; but you shall read it all in the notes I have been making during the last three months that I have been back upon Earth."

He patted a swelling portfolio that lay on the table at his elbow.

"I know that you are interested and that you believe, and I know that the world, too, is interested, though they will not believe for many years; yes, for many ages, since they cannot understand. Earth men have not yet progressed to a point where they can comprehend the things that I have written in these notes.

"Give them what you wish of it, what you think will not harm them, but do not feel aggrieved if they laugh at you."

That night I walked down to the cemetery with him. At the door of his vault he turned and pressed my hand.

"Good-bye, Nephew," he said. "I may never see you again, for I doubt that I can ever bring myself