s rage because La openly
acknowledged her love for the stranger, when by the worldly customs of
their cult she should have belonged to him. Seemingly there was to be
no solution of the problem until another priest stepped forth and,
raising his hand, addressed La.

"Cadj, the High Priest," he announced, "would sacrifice you both to the
Flaming God; but all of us except Cadj would gladly return to Opar with
our queen."

"You are many against one," spoke up Tarzan. "Why should you not have
your will? Go your way with La to Opar and if Cadj interferes slay
him."

The priests of Opar welcomed this suggestion with loud cries of
approval. To them it appeared nothing short of divine inspiration.
The influence of ages of unquestioning obedience to high priests had
made it seem impossible to them to question his authority; but when
they realized that they could force him to their will they were as
happy as children with new toys.

They rushed forward and seized Cadj. They talked in loud menacing
tones into his ear. They threatened him with bludgeon and knife until
at last he acquiesced in their demands, though sullenly, and then
Tarzan stepped close before Cadj.

"Priest," he said, "La goes back to her temple under the protection of
her priests and the threat of Tarzan of the Apes that whoever harms her
shall die. Tarzan will go again to Opar before the next rains and if
harm has befallen La, woe betide Cadj, the High Priest."

Sullenly Cadj promised not to harm his queen.

"Protect her," cried Tarzan to the other Oparians. "Protect her so
that when Tarzan comes again he will find La there to greet him."

"La will be there to greet thee," exclaimed the High Priestess, "and La
will wait, longing, always longing, until you come again. Oh, tell me
that you will come!"

"Who knows?" asked the ape-man as he swung quickly into the trees and
raced off toward the east.

For a moment La stood looking after him, then her head drooped, a sigh
escaped her lips and like an old woman she took up the march toward
distant Opar.

Through the trees raced Tarzan of the Apes until the darkness of night
had settled upon the jungle, then he lay down and slept, with no
thought beyond the morrow and with even La but the shadow of a memory
within his consciousness.

But a few marches to the north Lady Greystoke looked forward to the day
when her mighty lord and master should discover the crime of Achmet
Zek, and be speeding to r