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When Tara of Helium was ushered into the throne room of O-Tar she found the
great hall filled with the chiefs and officers of O-Tar and U-Thor, the latter
occupying the place of honor at the foot of the throne, as was his due. The girl
was conducted to the foot of the aisle and halted before the jeddak, who looked
down upon her from his high throne with scowling brows and fierce, cruel eyes.
"The laws of Manator are just," said O-Tar, addressing her; "thus is it that you
have been summoned here again to be judged by the highest authority of
Manator. Word has reached me that you are suspected of being a Corphal. What
word have you to say in refutation of the charge?"
Tara of Helium could scarce restrain a sneer as she answered the ridiculous
accusation of witchcraft. "So ancient is the culture of my people," she said, "that
authentic history reveals no defense for that which we know existed only in the
ignorant and superstitious minds of the most primitive peoples of the past. To
those who are yet so untutored as to believe in the existence of Corphals, there
can be no argument that will convince them of their error--only long ages of
refinement and culture can accomplish their release from the bondage of
ignorance. I have spoken."
"
"
"
Yet you do not deny the accusation," said O-Tar.
It is not worthy the dignity of a denial," she responded haughtily.
And I were you, woman," said a deep voice at her side, "I should, nevertheless,
deny it."
Tara of Helium turned to see the eyes of U-Thor, the great jed of Manatos, upon
her. Brave eyes they were, but neither cold nor cruel. O-Tar rapped impatiently
upon the arm of his throne. "U-Thor forgets," he cried, "that O-Tar is the jeddak."
"U-Thor remembers," replied the jed of Manatos, "that the laws of Manator permit
any who may be accused to have advice and counsel before their judge."
Tara of Helium saw that for some reason this man would have assisted her, and
so she acted upon his advice.
"I deny the charge," she said, "I am no Corphal."
"
Of that we shall learn," snapped O-Tar. "U-Dor, where are those who have
knowledge of the powers of this woman?"
And U-Dor brought several who recounted the little that was known of the
disappearance of E-Med, and others who told of the capture of Ghek and Tara,
suggesting by deduction that having been found together they had sufficient in
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