eglar's sanity, noble Garlud. After
his bungling attempt on my life I questioned him. He told me it was his
own idea to take my life, that no one else had anything to do with it.
Over and over he said that, even when my questions called for no such
answer, until I began to suspect he was trying to shield an accomplice.
When I charged him with this he became so upset I was sure he lied. So I
had my guards torture him into telling the truth. That is when he named
you."

"A man will say anything to escape torture, Most-High," Garlud pointed
out calmly.

"Do you think I'm not aware of that?" growled the monarch. "It was not
until he endured torture I doubt I could have stood up under that he
gave your name."

"Naturally, in view of our long friendship, I thought he was lying. I
ordered further torture to bring out the truth. Again and again he lost
consciousness under the white-hot iron, and each time we revived him he
gave your name. Finally I was convinced despite my reluctance. I then
sent for you to hear the charge from Heglar's own lips."

Garlud shook his head. "I cannot believe that you would so easily turn
against me, my friend. One man's unsupported word--and you believe the
worst of me."

Jaltor's expression did not soften. "A word wrung from a man after long
torture, noble Garlud, carries beyond ordinary denial."

"Would you wish to put me to the same test?" Garlud asked grimly.

"No. You are comparatively young and a brave man. Should you will
yourself to deny Heglar's charge, no amount of physical suffering would
wring a confession from you."

"Your pardon, Most-High." It was one of the men at the bedside who
spoke. "The man is conscious now, but I fear he is dying."

"Good." Jaltor motioned to his erstwhile friend. "Come, Garlud, hear
these things from the man's own lips."

They approached the bed, the two attendants falling back respectfully.
From the narrow surface Heglar looked up at them, his faded blue eyes
glazed with pain, his rib-ridged chest rising and falling with shallow,
uneven breathing. The smell of burned flesh came from his body in
sickening emanations and his lips were torn where he had bitten them in
agony.

Jaltor said stonily, "I have brought the noble Garlud here to listen to
your charges, Heglar. Now accuse him or clear his name!"

The faded blue eyes flickered to the erect figure of the other man. It
was not until the third effort that he was able to speak.

"I failed, G