"And when he returns to this chamber," he was saying, "as he surelywill when he finds she does not meet him at the city's edge, youfour are to spring upon him and disarm him. It will require thecombined strength of all of you to do it if the reports they bringback from Korad are correct. When you have him quick bound bear himto the vaults beneath the jeddak's quarters and chain him securelywhere he may be found when Tal Hajus wishes him. Allow him to speakwith none, nor permit any other to enter this apartment before hecomes. There will be no danger of the girl returning, for by thistime she is safe in the arms of Tal Hajus, and may all her ancestorshave pity upon her, for Tal Hajus will have none; the great Sarkojahas done a noble night's work. I go, and if you fail to capture himwhen he comes, I commend your carcasses to the freezing bosom of Iss."

CHAPTER XVII

A C0STLY RECAPTURE

As the speaker ceased he turned to leave the apartment by the doorwhere I was standing, but I needed to wait no longer; I had heardenough to fill my soul with dread, and stealing quietly away Ireturned to the courtyard by the way I had come. My plan of actionwas formed upon the instant, and crossing the square and thebordering avenue upon the opposite side I soon stood within thecourtyard of Tal Hajus.