to Nam, her father; if his tale be true, then he
himself is condemned by it, for doubtless he knew all at the beginning,
from the lips of his daughter Soa.

"Yes, knowing the truth he dared to set up gods in the land whom he
believed to be false, trusting thereby to increase his own power and
glory, and when these failed him because of his wickedness, then he did
not scruple to cry aloud his shame. I have spoken, People of the Mist.
Now judge between us and let fate follow judgment, for we renounce you."

She ended, her face alight with anger and her eyes flashing with
excitement, and so great was the power of her eloquence and beauty that
it seemed to throw a spell of silence over the hearts of her fierce and
turbulent audience, while Soa slunk back into the shadow and Nam cowered
visibly.

"It is false, O people," he cried in a voice that trembled with rage and
fear. "My daughter told me the tale for the first time at dawn to-day."

His words awoke the audience as it were, and instantly there arose a
babel of sounds that rent the very skies. "His daughter! He says that
she is his daughter! Nam owns his crimes!" yelled some.

"Away with the false gods!" shouted others.

"Touch them not, they are true gods and will bring a curse upon us!"
answered a third party, among whom Leonard recognised the voice of
Olfan.

And so the clamour went on. For full ten minutes it raged, till the
exhaustion of those that made it brought it to its end, and Juanna, who
all this while sat silent as some lovely marble statue, became aware
that the spokesman of the elders was once more addressing the multitude.

"People of the Mist," he said, "hold your peace, and hearken to me.
We have been chosen judges of this matter, and now, having consulted
together, we will give judgment, and you shall be bound by it. As to
whether these strangers who are named Aca and Jal are true gods or
false, we say no word. But if they are false gods, then surely Nam is
guilty with them."

Here a shout of assent burst from the audience, and Leonard watching the
high priest saw him tremble.

"Yet," he went on, "they have told us by the mouth of her who sits
before you, that it is because of our offences that the sun has ceased
to shine at their command. Therefore at their command it can be made to
shine. Then let them give us a sign or let them die, if indeed they are
mortal, for if they are not mortal we cannot kill them. And this shall
be the sign wh