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one of those who knew was U-Thor, the great jed of Manatos. His curling lip

betokened his scorn of the jeddak who had chosen humiliation rather than death.

He knew that O-Tar had lost more of prestige in those few moments than he

could regain in a lifetime, for the Martians are jealous of the courage of their

chiefs--there can be no evasions of stern duty, no temporizing with honor. That

there were others in the room who shared U-Thor's belief was evidenced by the

silence and the grim scowls.

O-Tar glanced quickly around. He must have sensed the hostility and guessed its

cause, for he went suddenly angry, and as one who seeks by the vehemence of

his words to establish the courage of his heart he roared forth what could be

considered as naught other than a challenge.

"The will of O-Tar, the jeddak, is the law of Manator," he cried, "and the laws of

Manator are just--they cannot err. U-Dor, dispatch those who will search the

palace, the pits, and the city, and return the fugitives to their cells.

"And now for you, U-Thor of Manatos! Think you with impunity to threaten your

jeddak--to question his right to punish traitors and instigators of treason? What

am I to think of your own loyalty, who takes to wife a woman I have banished

from my court because of her intrigues against the authority of her jeddak and

her master? But O-Tar is just. Make your explanations and your peace, then,

before it is too late."

"U-Thor has nothing to explain," replied the jed of Manatos; "nor is he at war with

his jeddak; but he has the right that every jed and every warrior enjoys, of

demanding justice at the hands of the jeddak for whomsoever he believes to be

persecuted. With increasing rigor has the jeddak of Manator persecuted the

slaves from Gathol since he took to himself the unwilling Princess Haja. If the

slaves from Gathol have harbored thoughts of vengeance and escape 'tis no more

than might be expected from a proud and courageous people. Ever have I

counselled greater fairness in our treatment of our slaves, many of whom, in their

own lands, are people of great distinction and power; but always has O-Tar, the

jeddak, flouted with arrogance my every suggestion. Though it has been through

none of my seeking that the question has arisen now I am glad that it has, for the

time was bound to come when the jeds of Manator would demand from O-Tar the

respect and consideration that is their due from the man who holds his high

office at their pleasure. Know, then, O-Tar, that you must free A-Kor, the dwar,

forthwith or bring him to fair trial before the assembled jeds of Manator. I have

spoken."

You have spoken well and to the point, U-Thor," cried O-Tar, "for you have

revealed to your jeddak and your fellow jeds the depth of the disloyalty that I have

The Chessmen of Mars