Page:Tarzan and the Ant Men.pdf/168

162 and having, unlike Gefasto and Gofoloso, justified his expectations, counted for little one way or another. Like the majority of the Veltopismakusian nobles under the reign of Elkomoelhago they had become corrupt, and self-interest guided their every act and thought. Gefasto did not trust them, for he knew that they could be bought even while professing their virtue, and Gefasto had taken to the study of men since his success with the warriors of his city—a success that was fully as much a surprise to him as to others—and his knowledge of the mounting restlessness of the people had implanted in the fertile soil of a virile brain the idea that Veltopismakus was ripe for a new dynasty.

Vestako he knew for a self-acknowledged and shameless bribe-taker. He did not believe that there was an honest hair in the man’s head, but he had been surprised at the veiled threat of ex­posure he had used to mulct his fellows.

"Low indeed have fallen the fortunes of Vel­topismakus," he said to Gofoloso as the two walked along the Warriors’ Corridor after quit­ting the council chamber of the king.

"As exemplified by—?" queried the Chief of Chiefs.

"By Vestako’s infamy. He cares neither for king nor for people. For slaves or gold he would betray either, and Vestako is typical of the ma­jority of us. No longer is friendship sacred, for