Maia

"-but from what I've seen, Kembri may very well collapse before he can fall back anywhere, if Erketlis attacks him."

"We don't know what's happening in Bekla, though, do we?" said Elleroth, dropping his bantering manner and speaking more seriously. "Who's got it? Fornis, Eud-Ecachlon or the Lapanese?"

"I suppose Erketlis means to have it, doesn't he?" said Dy-Karn.

"Certainly; and before the rains, if he can. I've no quarrel with Eud-Ecachlon; but that evil woman mustn't be allowed time to make herself stronger in Bekla. I'll admit I am afraid of her. She's a sorceress: she can bewitch people out of their right minds; and she'd destroy the empire before she'd relinquish power-call in the Deelguy or something like that."

Ta-Kominion nodded. "That's what I think, too. Well, let's agree on this much. As soon as my men have had a day's food and rest and got back some spirit, we'll help you through the forest. Then let's talk again in the light of what we find out when we get to the other side. That's meant to be honest and no more than I'm ready to stand to. Will you accept it?"

"Yes, I will," said Elleroth. He gave Ta-Kominion his hand. "I'm sure Maia will be delighted to hear about this little bargain of ours."

"By the Ledges, that's a girl, sir!" said Dy-Karn. "I couldn't believe it last night, when she said she'd come across to us of her own accord."

"Oh, really? Now I could, you know," answered Elleroth. "As a matter of fact, that was why I recalled our patrols. When I was told she was missing, I had a sort of notion that she might be paying you a call; and I didn't

want anything to spoil it-no little animosity in the tene-brosity, you know, or anything like that."

"You mean you'd already thought we might join you?"

"I mean nothing so vainglorious. I had no idea-none of us had-whether you might not be Kembri in full fig. As a military commander I could hardly do anything very amicable, could I, until I knew that? Awkward chap, Kembri; might have been rather stuffy, don't you know. But that splendid girl-she took the whole risk on herself and saved us all any amount of trouble, to say the very least."

"You might have let me know earlier that she was gone, sir," said Zen-Kurel. "I didn't learn it till just before dawn."

"Oh, might I, now?" replied Elleroth, gravely returning his glance. "Do you know, I'm afraid that never really occurred to me? I thought you'd said earlier on-"

"If we'd only known," broke in Bayub-Otal, "I think we'd both have gone out after her a great deal earlier."

"Well, I thought it would be a shame to wake you," replied Elleroth suavely, "after-the hard day you'd had. However, next time she does anything like that, I assure you I'll-"

Suddenly Tolis burst in, wide-eyed. As everyone looked up Elleroth broke off, laying a hand on his arm.

"I infer that something untoward has occurred, Tolis," he said composedly. "I wonder what. Not Kembri, I hope?"

"No, sir," said Tolis. "There's been a murder in camp, sir: a woman!"

"O gods!" said Elleroth, getting up. "How boring! I knew it would happen sooner or later. Who is it?"

"It's the girl who came last night, sir," said Tolis, "with these officers-"

"Not Maia?" cried Zen-Kurel. Bayub-Otal, white to the lips, sprang to his feet, gripping the edge of the table.

"No, sir," answered Tolis. "The other girl, the Belish-ban girl; she's dead, sir!"

"Do we know how?" asked Elleroth, taking his sword-belt from the orderly.

"Yes, sir. There's two men being held under guard. They reported the girl's death themselves. They admit having caused it."

"Who are they?" said Elleroth.

"Lortil and Dectaron, sir. Captain Mollo's company."

"But great Cran, those are two damned good men, that's it! Never been in any sort of trouble! What the-"

"Calm yourself, Mollo! Obviously we must look into this at once. Where have they put the poor girl?" EUeroth turned to Tolis.

"In one of the shelters, sir, up the lines."

Elleroth looked round at the officers present. "Mollo and Tolis, you'd better come with me; and of course you'll wish to come, too, won't you?" he said to Bayub-Otal and Zen-Kurel. "Perhaps the rest of you won't mind waiting here for the time being-unless, of course," he added to Ta-Kominion, "you'd prefer to go back to your camp and start making arrangements in the light of what we've just agreed. We'll meet again later." '

Having taken Ta-Kominion's hands for a moment in farewell, he ducked out under the curtain which the orderly was holding aside.

The body of Meris, covered with a blanket,-was lying in the further corner of the shelter to which Tolis led the way. A soldier on guard saluted as the commander entered. Gently, Elleroth drew back the blanket from the head. The girl's face was contorted, the teeth clenched, the lips drawn back so far that the cheeks were ridged under the open eyes.

"Where's the wound?" asked Elleroth.

"Her neck's broken, sir," answered Tolis.