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He felt a need to rest, and think, and plan, to recuperate froth

And with relief, as he raised his hand for silence, he perceived the wrinkled face of one Vreenya, head councillor of Kamrou, his predecessor

Hiave his orders With soree of fluency--for in the months Beatrice and he had spent in the Abyss they had acquired reet you, Vreenya I greetjourney to return to you I as to tell you, but not noould sleep and eat Is my house in readiness?"

"It is in readiness--the house of the Kromno Your word is our law It shall be as you have spoken"

"That is good Now it is my will that this air-boat on which I ride should be carried close up to the walls and carefully covered with ines "After that I rest"

"So it shall be," Vreenya made anshile the Folk listened "But, aav, who sailed with you in the air-boat to those upper regions we know not of?"

"The woman is well She awaits in a place we have prepared for you"

"It is well And the ancient man?"

Stern thought quickly To confess the patriarch's death would certainly be fatal to the undertaking These sie from it that certain destruction must be the portion of any who should dare venture into those ions which to thee tradition--alh the truth was dear to hiood he uttered falsehood by i in the far places He would desire you to coood?"

"He found it good, Vreenya And he is at peace"

"It is well Now the commands of Tai Kromno shall be done His house is ready!"

While Stern clambered out of the machine and stretched his half-paralyzed lih the massed Folk Stern's heart swelled with pride at the success so far of his hty object could and would be accohtly despite himself, for to his mind arose the ever-present possibility of the Folk's custoht challenge hiainst him