Part 11 (1/2)

It entered even the dull brain of the watchely different, now, froilded chariot, arrogant and donetic vitality Men who had hated Kallian Publico would scarcely have recognized hirated tun of fat, his rich robe half torn from him and his purple tunic awry His face was blackened, his eyes started fro esture of curious futility On the thick fingers, ges?” muttered the watchman uneasily Then he started and stared, the short hairs prickling at the nape of his neck Through the dark silken hangings thatinto the hall, caure

Arus saw a tall, powerfully-built youth, naked but for a loincloth and sandals strapped high about his ankles His skin was burned brown as by the suns of the wastelands, and Arus glanced nervously at his broad shoulders, le look at the moody, broad-browed features told the watchman that the man was no Nemedian

Froerous blue eyes A long sword hung in a leather scabbard froered his crossbow tensely, of half a er's body without parley, yet fearful of what ht happen if he failed to inflict death at the first shot

The stranger looked at the body on the floor more in curiosity than surprise

”Why did you kill him?” asked Arus nervously

The other shook his touseled head ”I did not kill hi Nemedian with a barbaric accent ”Who is he?”

”Kallian Publico,” replied Arus, edging back

A flicker of interest showed in the moody blue eyes ”The owner of the house?”

”Aye” Arus had edged his way to the wall Now he took hold of a thick velvet rope, which hung there, and jerked it violently Fro of the bell that hung before all shops and establisher started ”Why did you do that?” he asked ”It will fetch the watch his courage ”Stand where you are Do not er touched the trigger of his arbalest; the wicked square head of the quarrel pointed straight at the other's broad breast The stranger scowled, his dark face lowering He showed no fear but seemed to hesitate, whether to obey the command or to chance a sudden break

Arus licked his lips and his blood turned cold as he plainly saw caution struggle with ner's cloudy eyes

Then he heard a door crash open and a rateful alared with the worried look of a startled beast of prey as half a dozen men entered the hall All but one wore the scarlet tunic of the Nu swords and carried bills-long-shafted weapons, half pike, half ax

”What devil's work is this?” exclairay eyes and lean, keen features, no less than his civilian garments, set him apart from his burly companions

”By Mitra, Deht I had no hope that the watch would answer the su the the rounds with Dionus,” answered De the Teed But who is this?

Ishtar! The master of the Temple himself!”

”None other,” replied Arus, ”and foullysteadily all night, because, as you know, there is an immense amount of wealth stored here Kallian Publico had rich patrons-scholars, princes, and wealthy collectors of rarities Well, only a few o I tried the door that opens on the portico and found it only bolted, not locked The door is provided with a bolt, which works froreat lock, which can be worked only from without Only Kallian Publico had a key to that, the very key that now hangs at his girdle

”I knew so was areat lock when he closed the Temple, and I had not seen him since he left at close of day for his villa in the suburbs I have a key that works the bolt; I entered and found the body lying as you see it I have not touched it”

”So” Deer ”And who is this?”

”The murderer, without doubt!” cried Arus ”He came from that door yonder He is a northern barbarian of some sort-perhaps a Hyperborean or a Bossonian”

”Who are you?” asked Demetrio

”I am Conan, a Cimmerian,” answered the barbarian

”Did you kill this man?”

The Cimmerian shook his head