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"I feared, O hty jeddak!" replied E-Thas "I feared that you would not understand and that you would be angry"

"What know you? Speak the whole truth!" co the chieftains and the warriors," replied E-Thas "Even those ere your friends fear the power of those who speak against you"

"What say they?" growled the jeddak

"They say that you are afraid to enter the apartry with me, Jeddak; it is but what they say that I repeat I, your loyal E-Thas, believe no such foul slander"

"No, no; why should I fear?" demanded O-Tar "We do not know that he is there Did notof hio," pursued E-Thas, "and that they will have none of a coward upon the throne of Manator"

"They said that treason?" O-Tar alreat jeddak," answered the major-domo "They said that not only did you fear to enter the chambers of O-Mai, but that you feared the slave Turan, and they blame you for your treatment of A-Kor, whom they all believe to have been murdered at your command They were fond of A-Kor and there are many noho say aloud that A-Kor would have made a wondrous jeddak"

"They dare?" screaest the name of a slave's bastard for the throne of O-Tar!"

"He is your son, O-Tar," E-Thas reminded him, "nor is there a more beloved nored, and I dare do so because only when you realize the truth may you seek a cure for the ills that draw about your throne"

O-Tar had slumped down upon his bench-suddenly he looked shrunken and tired and old "Cursed be the day," he cried, "that saw those three strangers enter the city of Manator Would that U-Dor had been spared to one-dead at the hands of that hateful slave, Turan; may the curse of Issus be upon hi the slave will not solve your problee is but three days off," plead O-Tar "It shall be a great gala occasion The warriors and the chiefs all know that-it is the custoifts and honors shall be bestowed Tellthe rewards for their past services to the throne We will rant them palaces and slaves Eh, E-Thas?"