If
neither be back at the end of a year a second trial may be held--the
thing has a precedent." And then turning to Zat Arras, I said in
a low voice: "Unless you be a bigger fool than I take you to be,
you will grasp the chance I am offering you ere it is too late.
Once that multitude of swords below is drawn against your soldiery
no man upon Barsoom--not even Tardos Mors himself--can avert the
consequences. What say you? Speak quickly."
The Jed of Zodangan Helium raised his voice to the angry sea beneath
us.
"Stay your hands, men of Helium," he shouted, his voice trembling
with rage. "The sentence of the court is passed, but the day
of retribution has not been set. I, Zat Arras, Jed of Zodanga,
appreciating the royal connections of the prisoner and his past
services to Helium and Barsoom, grant a respite of one year, or
until the return of Mors Kajak, or Tardos Mors to Helium. Disperse
quietly to your houses. Go."
No one moved. Instead, they stood in tense silence with their eyes
fastened upon me, as though waiting for a signal to attack.
"Clear the temple," commanded Zat Arras, in a low tone to one of
his officers.
Fearing the result of an attempt to carry out this order by force,
I stepped to the edge of the platform and, pointing toward the main
entrance, bid them pass out. As one man they turned at my request
and filed, silent and threatening, past the soldiers of Zat Arras,
Jed of Zodanga, who stood scowling in impotent rage.
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