fell headlong against the stone wall and lapsed
into a motionless heap of quivering flesh.

Tamar said, "That's all we need! We can go to Jaltor and tell him what
this coward has said; then he will free you and your father and put
Vokal in your place."

"My father lives?" cried Jotan. "I thought Jaltor had slain him."

Quickly Tamar explained what had actually happened. When he had
finished, Jotan said, "Before we do anything else I must find my father.
Help me search these cells, both of you."

"He may not be on this level," Tamar said. "We could spend hours hunting
him. The thing to do would be to go to Jaltor----"

But Jotan was already on his way along the corridor, peering in at the
occupant of each.

* * * * *

Minutes later there was a sizable group of men freed from the cells and
grouped about Jotan and Tamar. Among them was Garlud, Jotan's father,
his gaunt face wreathed in smiles, his strength, sapped by long days of
imprisonment, flowing back at the realization he was free and in
possession of the name of the man who had brought about his downfall.
The others were those members of Jotan's party who had accompanied him
from far-off Sephar, released from their brief imprisonment and ready
for action.

Tamar said, "And now we can go to Jaltor and tell him what happened!"

"We shall have to take this man"--Jotan pointed to the fallen and
unmoving body of Sitab--"to Jaltor as our only witness against
Vokal."

Garlud said, "It is hard to believe that Vokal is the one behind all
this trouble. We have been friends for many years, all of Ammad loves
him, even Jaltor admires him more than almost any noble of the court."

"He is behind the plot against us, father," Jotan said sharply. "There
can be no doubt about it."

"We shall need overwhelming proof."

"Our proof lies there." Jotan waved a hand at the motionless bulk near
the wall. "Get him on his feet, somebody; it's time he told his story to
Jaltor, king of Ammad!"

Tamar bent above the fallen man and shook him. "Come! You've rested long
enough!"

But Sitab did not move and Tamar shook him again, harder this time, and
repeated the order. Then suddenly the young noble was kneeling beside
the still form of the guard and placing a hand against the tunic over
his heart.

In the silence Tamar rose to his feet and met the stricken eyes of his
friends. "He is dead," he said simply.

"There dies our proof," Garlud said