d that Dylara
had been taken from the slave quarters by this man on the pretext of
taking her to Urim. Another man helped him; who, I don't know. Knowing
you would be interested in learning what had happened to her, I brought
our friend, here, along to answer your questions."

* * * * *

Jotan thanked him with a glance. Then he turned to the seated Fordak.

"All right," he ground out savagely, "what have you done with her?"

Fordak looked at him sullenly. "I don't know what you're talking about,"
he mumbled. "You have no right to keep me here."

Jotan, his face convulsed with anger, grabbed the man by the front of
his tunic with one hand and shook him savagely. Fordak, struggling to
twist loose, aimed a wild blow at his tormentor, and received in return
a mighty smash full on the nose that knocked him to the floor, half
conscious, blood pouring from his nostrils.

"Get up!" snarled Jotan. He kicked the dazed warrior brutally in the
side. "Either that tongue of yours starts to wag or it comes out--by the
roots!"

He reached down, caught a handful of Fordak's rumpled hair and pulled
him to his feet. The guard stood there, swaying, and would have fallen
had not Jotan shoved him back on the stool.

"Where is she?"

Fordak wiped his nose with the back of one hand and stared woodenly at
the crimson stains left there. He knew he must tell; he could not bear
further punishment.

And then he remembered what Meltor had said. The princess Alurna had
wanted the girl disposed of; to tell what he knew would bring down the
wrath of Urim's daughter upon him. He shivered at the thought; for he
did not want to die.

"Where is she?"

Fordak moved his head in silent negation. "I don't know."

Jotan clenched his fist to strike again. Tamar caught his arm.

"Wait," he said. "Let me talk to him." He pushed back Fordak's head. "We
know you're mixed up in this, Fordak. You and another guard took the
girl from her room. Tell us where she is and you shall go free--as soon
as we find you have told us the truth."

"I don't know," said the man stolidly.

Jotan swore impatiently. "I'm through wasting time," he said. "Dylara
may be in danger. I'll get the truth from him."

He motioned to Javan. "Get me a fire bowl."

When his friend had handed him a bowl of fat, he lighted its wick with a
glowing coal from an earthen jar and came back to Fordak. The seated man
watched him, apprehension in his eyes.