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CHAPTER XXII - AT THE MOMENT OF MARRIAGE

The silence of the tomb lay heavy about him as O-Tar, Jeddak of Manator, opened

his eyes in the chamber of O-Mai. Recollection of the frightful apparition that had

confronted him swept to his consciousness. He listened, but heard naught.

Within the range of his vision there was nothing apparent that might cause

alarm. Slowly he lifted his head and looked about. Upon the floor beside the

couch lay the thing that had at first attracted his attention and his eyes closed in

terror as he recognized it for what it was; but it moved not, nor spoke. O-Tar

opened his eyes again and rose to his feet. He was trembling in every limb. There

was nothing on the dais from which he had seen the thing arise.

O-Tar backed slowly from the room. At last he gained the outer corridor. It was

empty. He did not know that it had emptied rapidly as the loud scream with

which his own had mingled had broken upon the startled ears of the warriors

who had been sent to spy upon him. He looked at the timepiece set in a massive

bracelet upon his left forearm. The ninth zode was nearly half gone. O-Tar had

lain for an hour unconscious. He had spent an hour in the chamber of O-Mai and

he was not dead! He had looked upon the face of his predecessor and was still

sane! He shook himself and smiled. Rapidly he subdued his rebelliously shaking

nerves, so that by the time he reached the tenanted portion of the palace he had

gained control of himself. He walked with chin high and something of a swagger.

To the banquet hall he went, knowing that his chiefs awaited him there and as he

entered they arose and upon the faces of many were incredulity and amaze, for

they had not thought to see O-Tar the jeddak again after what the spies had told

them of the horrid sounds issuing from the chamber of O-Mai. Thankful was O-

Tar that he had gone alone to that chamber of fright, for now no one could deny

the tale that he should tell.

E-Thas rushed forward to greet him, for E-Thas had seen black looks directed

toward him as the tals slipped by and his benefactor failed to return.

O brave and glorious jeddak!" cried the major-domo. "We rejoice at your safe

return and beg of you the story of your adventure."

It was naught," exclaimed O-Tar. "I searched the chambers carefully and waited

in hiding for the return of the slave, Turan, if he were temporarily away; but he

came not. He is not there and I doubt if he ever goes there. Few men would

choose to remain long in such a dismal place."

"You were not attacked?" asked E-Thas. "You heard no screams, nor moans?"

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The Chessmen of Mars