Page:The Mating of the Blades.djvu/253

 even Hector, while not admitting the logic, had to admit the wisdom, and though at first he had been shocked at the enormous, serenely unblushing unmorality of the project, he understood that after all it would be the right thing to accept it. He saw that, automatically, it would spell the end of all turmoil and once more bring back to Tamerlanistan its old peace and prosperity.

Therefore, when shortly afterwards a troop of Tamerlani soldiers and naibs drew rein at the mausoleum and invaded the place, sword in hand, threatening revenge against the treacherous governor of the western marches. Hector stepped between them and their intended victim, and asked them to take the man to the palace and to see that no harm came to him.

“No harm indeed!” echoed the governor to his twin brother and worst enemy, the governor of the eastern marches, who was amongst the crowd and had already raised his short, wicked sword. “Back to thy kennel, O dog, unbeautiful and decidedly objectionable, or I shall torture thee the torture of the boiling oil! For behold, O thou fetid hyena, I am in high favor with the princess and Al Nakia—because of my wisdom, my courage, my clean manliness, and my shining loyalty!”

And he strutted out with a considerable swagger, followed by the astonished Tamerlanis, while Hector Wade, laughing in spite of himself, turned quickly as he heard the princess' whispered words:

“The blades! The ancient blades! The blade of