de the aquarium in the centre of the apartment, close to
the vase of gold filled with flowers. Lyone, in a dazed state, reached
for a flower, and in doing so touched the vase, and in a moment fell
dead upon the floor!

[Illustration: LYONE REACHED FOR A FLOWER AND IN DOING SO TOUCHED THE
VASE AND IMMEDIATELY FELL DEAD UPON THE FLOOR!]

I cannot dwell upon the horror of the scene. I rushed to the door
of the apartment, and stood in the outer chamber, where waited my
companions.

The governor of the fortress came forward to explain that I was his
prisoner until he had heard from the king whether or not I should be
permitted to leave the prison. I raised my spear, and with one blow
transfixed the dog at my feet. He never spoke again!

The taking off of the governor was accomplished with so little
disturbance that we passed through the body-guard, which was assembled
in the outer corridor, without interference.

The situation was war!

Was it really true that our hope was dead, that our jewel, the glory
of our cause, was lying cold and lifeless in her prison?

I was stunned with the first shock of the scene. I could only cry out,
as though she were still alive, for her radiant soul to come and share
our mutual bliss.

But when it clearly dawned upon me that the being for whose freedom I
had resolutely labored had become the victim of her murderers, that I
could never again enfold her beauty with my love, however ardent or
tender, I was petrified with horror.

My immediate comrades, to whom I communicated the tidings, grew white
with the appalling news.

The one cry was, "Could Lyone, the idol of her army, the goddess of
her people, be indeed dead? Was the voice that could conjure such love
and devotion hushed forever?"

Leaving a guard to watch over the body of the goddess, I set out for
Kioram.

Barely escaping arrest at the hands of several wayleals, we arrived
safely at the fortress. It was our wings and spears, and not the
passport of the king, that saved us.

The council in Kioram, on hearing of the death of the queen, grew
excited. The one desire in the hearts of all had been to save Lyone's
life--but, alas!

I despatched a messenger to the king, charging him with the murder of
the queen, and stating that I should exact retribution at his hands
for the foul deed. I warned him not to do any injury to the person of
her majesty, but deliver her dead body to the guard we would send, who
would convey it