“It is a lie!” cried O-Tar.

“It is not a lie and I can prove it,” retorted I-Gos.  “Didst notice the night that he returned from the chambers of O-Mai and was boasting of his exploit, that when he would summon slaves to bring wine he reached for his dagger to strike the gong with its pommel as is always his custom?  Didst note that, any of you?  And that he had no dagger?  O-Tar, where is the dagger that you carried into the chamber of O-Mai?  You do not know; but I know.  While you lay in the swoon of terror I took it from your harness and hid it among the sleeping silks upon the couch of O-Mai.  There it is even now, and if any doubt it let them go thither and there they will find it and know the cowardice of their jeddak.”

“But what of this impostor?” demanded one.  “Shall he stand with impunity upon the throne of Manator whilst we squabble about our ruler?”

“It is through his bravery that you have learned the cowardice of O-Tar,” replied I-Gos, “and through him you will be given a greater jeddak.”

“We will choose our own jeddak.  Seize and slay the slave!” There were cries of approval from all parts of the room.  Gahan was listening intently, as though for some hoped-for sound.  He saw the warriors approaching the dais, where he now stood with drawn sword and with one arm about Tara of Helium.  He wondered if his plans had miscarried after all.  If they had it would mean death for him, and he knew that Tara would take her life if he fell.  Had he, then, served her so futilely after all his efforts?

Several warriors were urging the necessity for sending at once to the chamber of O-Mai to search for the dagger that would prove, if found, the cowardice of O-Tar.  At last three consented to go.  “You need not fear,” I-Gos assured them.  “There is naught there to harm you.  I have been there often of late and Turan the slave has slept there for these many nights.  The screams and moans that frightened you and O-Tar were voiced by Turan to drive you away from his hiding place.”  Shamefacedly the three left the apartment to search for O-Tar’s dagger.

And now the others turned their attention once more to Gahan.  They approached the throne with bared swords, but they came slowly for they had seen this slave upon the Field of Jetan and they knew the prowess of his arm.  They had reached the foot of the steps when from far above there sounded a deep boom, and another, and another, and Turan smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.  Perhaps, after all, it had not come too late.  The warriors stopped and listened as did the others in the chamber.  Now there broke upon their ears a loud rattle of musketry and it all came from above as though men were fighting upon the roofs of the palace.

“What is it?” they demanded, one of the other.

“A great storm has broken over Manator,” said one.

“Mind not the storm until you have slain the creature who dares stand upon the throne of your jeddak,” demanded O-Tar.  “Seize him!”