Part 43 (2/2)

”No! No!” It was Ruth crying ”Do not trust him, Norhala! It's a trap!

He shamedabout I saw a hell shadow darken his face Ventnor's hand thrust out, covered Ruth's

”Your son”--Norhala spoke swiftly; and back flashed the cruel face of Cherkis, devouring her with his eyes ”Your son--and Queenshi+p here--and Empire of the World” Her voice was rapt, thrilled ”All this you offer?

Me--Norhala?”

”This and erness ”If it be your wish, O Queen, I, Cherkis, will step down froer to do your bidding”

A moment she studied hi He thinks to gain your secrets”

”Let room stand forth that I may look upon hih a strain had been withdrawn Between hih a triumphant devil sped from them into each other's eyes

I saw Ruth shrink into Ventnor's arht by the inner battlements, passed on to the crowded terraces

”Take Kulun,” it was Drake, pistol drawn and whispering across to ht”

CHAPTER XXVI THE VENGEANCE OF NORHALA

Norhala's hand that had gone froain; the other fell upon Drake's

Kulun loosed his hood, let it fall about his shoulders

He stepped forward, held out his arly ”Hail--room! But stay--stand back a moment Stand beside that ether!”

Kulun's face darkened But Cherkis sed his shoulders and whispered to hi of the archers lowered their bows; they leaped to their feet and stood aside to let hiue a pyrah the broken circle of the bowmen

It LICKED up Ruth and Ventnor and--Kulun!

Swiftly as it had swept forth it returned, coiled and dropped those two I loved at Norhala's feet

It flashed back on high with the scarlet length of Cherkis's son sprawled along its angled end

The great body of Cherkis seemed to wither

Up froh of horror