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The people looked at the little old man in amazement "Men of Manator," he cackled in his thin, shrill voice, "wouldst be ruled by a coward and a liar?"

"Doith him!" shouted O-Tar

"Not until I have spoken," retorted I-Gos "It is ht If I fail my life is forfeit-that you all know and I know I deht," echoed the voices of a score of warriors in various parts of the chamber

"That O-Tar is a coward and a liar I can prove," continued I-Gos "He said that he faced bravely the horrors of the cha of the slave Turan I was there, hiding behind the hangings, and I saw all that transpired Turan had been hiding in the cha upon the couch of O-Mai when O-Tar, tre with fear, entered the roo position at the sa shriek O-Tar screamed and swooned"

"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 fro of his exploit, that when he would suer to strike the gong with its pommel as is always his custoer? 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 fro silks upon the couch of O-Mai There it is even now, and if any doubt it let theo 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 hireater jeddak"

"We will choose our own jeddak Seize and slay the slave!" There were cries of approval fro intently, as though for so the dais, where he now stood with draord 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?