Page:Amazing Stories Volume 01 Number 06.djvu/20

count. And I thought that the white-haired Zeus seemed especially insistent on this point, and I detested him for it.

I tried to imagine what he was, but I couldn't satisfy myself. King, or judge, or priest, or what? Jack saw the new drift also, and whispered to me:

"The old scoundrel! I'd like to try my pistol on him!"

For the first time the old man, who, I must confess, possessed a dignity of bearing that was extremely imposing; looked Edmund squarely in the eye and used some significant gestures. Edmund did not quail. But the rest of us certainly did when a way was suddenly opened in the throng, and the body of the fellow that had been shot, lying on a rich bier, was borne into the centre of the open space and set down at Edmund's feet.

He glanced at it perfectly unmoved; and then, with a smile, turned to look at Ala. Her manner assured me that she understood the justification that he claimed for himself, and that, at least, she approved it.

But old Zeus was not to be placated. That was plain by his look. Ala spoke to him earnestly, calling into action all the means of communicating thoughts, ideas, and arguments that they possessed in such abundance; but he was immovable. At length she turned to Edmund, and some communication took place between them which puzzled him for little while; but suddenly a light broke over his countenance, and, turning aside his head, he sent my hopes plump down to zero with ten solemn words:

"The old judge is the father of the dead man!"

"Then there's no hope for us," I muttered.

"Wait and see," was the reply.

Everything depended upon Ala. Assuming that she was interested in Edmund and wished to save him, had she the power to do it? Was she really queen, as we had supposed? And, if so, was her authority unlimited?

These questions raced through my mind while a conference took place round the throne. Several dignified-looking individuals, with gems glittering on their toga-like garments, were called into consultation. There was plainly a division among them. I could see that some sided with Ala, and others with the old man.

The features of the latter became more and more stern; but as he continued to insist upon his revengeful purpose, a strange light began to glow in Ala's eyes. Her color deepened. Lines of strength appeared in her beautiful face. One could feel the resistance that she offered rising to a passion; and at last, at a particularly savage communication from her relentless opponent, she suddenly rose to her feet, transformed!

The majestic splendor of her countenance was thrilling. Lifting her jeweled arms, she commanded the attendants to remove the bier, and was instantly obeyed. Then she beckoned to Edmund; and as he approached the foot of the throne, she descended three steps, rested her hand upon his shoulder, and looked about her with an air which said plainer than words:

"It is the power of my protection that environs him. Touch him, you who dare!"

The sensation produced by Ala's dramatic interruption was indescribable. Everybody pressed nearer. Murmurs rose on all sides, whether of approval or dissent I had no time to guess. The white-haired judge, his face aflame with passion, sprang to his feet, with uplifted hand, as if about to attack Edmund. Instinctively, I felt for my pistol. But Edmund, as if he had divined my thought, glanced sharply at me and shook his head.

We did not appreciate then what Ala had done, but we soon learned what it was.

Her act and her gesture had conveyed to the minds of the others a meaning unguessed by us. According to the immorial customs of her race, in thus embracing Edmund with her arm, she had not merely taken him under her protection—she had proclaimed to all the world that he was her chosen mate. If we had known this at the beginning, we should have been able to understand the tremendous excitement in the assemblage.

And yet it ought to have been evident, too, from her expression. If ever defiant, self-sacrificing love wrote itself upon a woman’s face, it was visible in hers. She had need of all her resolution; for the anger of the old man on the throne was nothing in comparison with the fury of a new actor who now thrust himself to the front. It was the Apollo-like young man who had led her from the air ship on our first arrival at the aerial tower.

No explanations were needed to enable us to understand the relation in which he stood to the parties. He was evidently Ala's suitor, and jealousy had turned him into a maniac. He shouldered aside those who stood in his path, and in an instant confronted Edmund. He was more than six feet tall, broad-shouldered, and had the powerful build of an athlete.

My heart leaped into my throat, and again I gripped my pistol: but Edmund's recent warning restrained me. Then, once more, a glow of admiration for our leader ran through me. He faced his formidable enemy without the slightest fear or flinching. Only I saw that his fists were clinched, and the recollection flashed upon me that he had been the favorite pupil of the best boxing master in New York.

In a fraction of a second the two glared at each other; while Ala, with a low cry, sought to draw Edmund away. But the other sprang forward, like a maddened bull.

Whack! Edmund's right fist caught his opponent on the point of the jaw, and the fellow shot back into the crowd and tumbled in a heap.

Lightning is not quicker than was Edmund's next move.

"Out with your pistols and follow me!" he shouted to us, and seizing Ala, he pushed his way; through the throng, which gave back at his im-