Part 2 (1/2)

'Goddess! Ha! So you were one of the veiled woht to Keshi+a with him Did you think you could fool o I saw you in Akbitana with that swine, Zargheba, and I don't forget faces--or worasp she threw her slender arms about his massive neck in an abandon of terror; tears coursed down her cheeks, and her sobs quivered with a note of hysteria

'Oh, please don't hurt ht ious little hussy!' rumbled Conan 'Do you not fear the Gods? Croed, quivering with abject fright 'I couldn't disobey Zargheba Oh, what shall I do? I shall be cursed by these heathen Gods!'

'What do you think the priests will do to you if they find out you're an is refused to support her, and she collapsed in a shuddering heap, clasping Conan's knees andincoherent pleas for mercy and protection with piteous protestations of her innocence of any e fro The fear that had nerved her then was now her undoing

'Where is Zargheba?' he de, damn it, and answerfor the priests'

'How many men with him?'

'None We carunt of a hunting lion 'You must have left Keshi+a a few hours after I did Did you climb the cliffs?'

She shook her head, too choked with tears to speak coherently With an impatient imprecation he seized her sliasped for breath

'Will you quit that blubbering and answer heba knew the secret way,' she gasped 'The priest Gwarunga told him, and Thutmekri On the south side of the valley there is a broad pool lying at the foot of the cliffs There is a cave-mouth under the surface of the water that is not visible to the casual glance We ducked under the water and entered it The cave slopes up out of the water swiftly and leads through the cliffs The opening on the side of the valley is masked by heavy thickets'

'I climbed the cliffs on the east side,' he muttered 'Well, what then?'

'We ca the trees while he went to look for the chaa While he was gone I thought I heard a gong sound, but I was not sure Presently Zargheba caht me to this chamber, where the Goddess Yelaya lay upon the dais

He stripped the body and clothed arments and ornaments Then he went forth to hide the body and watch for the priests I have been afraid When you entered I wanted to leap up and beg you to take heba When you discovered I was alive, I thought I could frighten you away'

'What were you to say as the oracle?' he asked

'I was to bid the priests to take the Teeth of Gwahlur and give soe, as he desired, and place the rest in the palace at Keshi+a I was to tell theree to Thutmekri's proposals And, oh, yes, I was to tell them that you were to be skinned alive immediately'

'Thutmekri wanted the treasure where he--or the Zearding the rea is a party to this swindle, of course?'

'No He believes in his Gods, and is incorruptible He knows nothing about this He will obey the oracle It was all Thut the Keshani would consult the oracle, he had Zargheba bring me with the embassy from Zembabwei, closely veiled and secluded'

'Well, I'm damned!' muttered Conan 'A priest who honestly believes in his oracle, and can not be bribed Cro Did he knoas here? Could he have known about that rotten flagging? Where is he now, girl?'

'Hiding in a thicket of lotus trees, near the ancient avenue that leads from the south wall of the cliffs to the palace,' she answered Then she renewed her importunities 'Oh, Conan, have pity on me! I am afraid of this evil, ancient place I know I have heard stealthy footfalls padding about heba will kill me when I have served his purpose here--I know it! The priests, too, will kill ht me froh southern Koth, and has ues ever since Take me away from him! You can not be as cruel as he Don't leave me to be slain here! Please! Please!'

She was on her knees, clutching at Conan hysterically, her beautiful tear-stained face upturned to hi in disorder over her white shoulders Conan picked her up and set her on his knee