Part 20 (2/2)

Alurna had slept well during the ht was of Meltor and his errand Lying there, the roo sun, she allowed herself to think of Jotan, s when she realized he was free, now, to fall in love with her No longer was there a barbarian slave-girl to blind hihter

After a while she sat up, stretched her soft le cat, and su a leisurely toilet a little later, when a brief rap sounded at the door

”That must be Meltor,” Alurna said contentedly ”Let him in, Anela”

But when the door was opened, it was another man who stood there, his tunic torn and stained, his broad plu

”It's Fordak!” cried Anela

The ered to a stool and dropped onto it, exhausted

”I came as soon as I could, princess,” he babbled ”I came to tell you so you would not punish me They forced me to tell; they burned me until I told theht”

Alurna shut hi to tell me?”

she demanded ”_Who_ made you tell _what_?”

”The ain control over his shaken nerves ”Jotan and Tamar and Javan They tortured irl”

Rapidly he related all that had taken place in the visitors' aparterated the aht the heart of Alurna be touched with pity

When Fordak was done, Alurna went to theand stood there, her back to the others, staring into the grounds below What was she to do?

Jotan was already on his way to the house of Rydob If Meltor had wasted no tih to save Dylara from death

But would Meltor do his work promptly? There was a cruel streak in the man--the same characteristic thatan end to its irl had been very beautiful

She turned ”You o, Fordak”

The , princess They burned--”

”Get out!”

Fordak got unhappily to his feet and limped from the room

”Quick, Anela!” said the princess ”Get to Vulcar at once I want five of hisSun

Should he ask questions, tell hi, princess?” the slave-girl asked as she started for the door