say there is someone whose
identity we do not know at the bottom of this plot against Garlud.
Heglar makes his clumsy attempt at killing me and fails according to
plan. I order him tortured to learn the names of others involved. He
gives me Garlud's name."

"Now, if I believe the charge, Garlud is arrested and executed, and the
mysterious someone is satisfied. But if I do not believe the charge
Garlud remains free, and this unknown person must try again or give up
and the matter is never solved."

"But say Garlud simply disappears without anyone knowing what's become
of him. Has he learned of what was in store for him and gone into
hiding, trying the while to learn who is responsible for his plight? Or
have I executed him secretly? Is Heglar still alive and in a position to
eventually expose the true culprit?"

"The man we want is going to have to get answers to those questions,
Curzad. He'll use great care at first; but when each effort meets a
blank wall he'll become increasingly desperate. Desperate men make false
moves, Curzad--then is when we'll have him!"

The captain nodded expressionlessly but there was a gleam of admiration
in his deep-set eyes. "And what of Garlud himself, Most-High? Shall I
have him removed from the pits and placed in more comfortable quarters?"

Jaltor pulled thoughtfully at his lower lip. "N-no, I think not. Let him
stew there awhile. I am not giving up my suspicions of him entirely,
Curzad; old Heglar's dying statement can not be utterly disregarded
until we have proof he was lying."

"And should Jotan, his son, return from Sephar while his father
languishes in the pits?"

The king nodded. "I have thought of that. It may be necessary to take
him and his men into custody before they reach the city itself. It would
defeat my purpose were he allowed to enter Ammad and start hunting for
his father. On the other hand I cannot arrest him openly; it would tell
our mysterious enemy more than I want him to know."

"Let us wait a few suns to decide that, Curzad. We have the time; Jotan
and his men are not due for half a moon yet. If our real quarry has not
revealed himself in, say, seven suns, I shall send you and a detachment
of guards out to intercept Jotan."

CHAPTER VII

THE SPIDER MEN

Dylara awakened with a convulsive start as the lofty branch upon which
she had been sleeping swayed and bent beneath suddenly added weight.

As she started up, a scream rising to her lips,