Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-09
CHAPTER TX
Blood : stained Affairs

CHAPTER TX
Blood stained Affairs
The entrance through which he caught
his hrst glimpse Of the interior was
rather beautifully carved in reometric
designs, and within the walls were sim
iiarly treated, though as be proceeded
from one apartment to another he found
also the figures Of animals, birds and
men taking their places among the more
formal figures Of the mural decorators
art. stone vessels were much in evil
dence as well rs ornaments Of gold and
the skins of many animals, but nowhere
did he see an indication Of any woven
fabric, indicating that in that respect
at least the Ho-don were still low in
the scale Of evolution, and yet the pro-
portions and symmetry of the corridors
and apartments bespoke a degree Of
civilization.
The way led through several. apart
ments and long corridors, up at least
three flights of stone stairs and finally
out upon a ledge upon the western side |
or the building overlooking the blue
lake. Along this ledge, or arcade, his |
guide led him for hundred yards to |
stop at last before wide entrance way |
leading into another apartment of the |
palace.
Here Tarzan beheld considerable |
concourse Of warriors in an enormous |
apartment. the domed ceiling Of which |
was fully fifty feet above the floor. AL |
most filling the chamber was Il great |
pyramid ascending in broad steps we'll
up under the dome, in which were
number of round apertures which let IN
the light. Tho steps of the pyramid
were occupied by warriors to the very
pinnacle. upon which sat large, I'm
posing figure Of man whose golden
trappings shone brightly in the light of
the afternoon sun, shaft of which
poured through one of the tiny aper-
lures of the dome.
"Ko- tan !" cried Oak lot. addressing
the rcsplendent figure Mt the pinnacle
Of Pal-ul-don Behold the honor thas
Jad- ben Otbo has done you in sending
rs his messenger his own son." and
Oak lot. stepping aside, indicated Tar
zan with a dramatic sweep Of his hand.
Ko-tan rose to his feet and every
warrior within sight craned his neck to
have better view of the newcomer.
Those upon the opposite side of the
pyramid crowded to the front as the
words of the old warrior reached them.
Skcptical were the expressions on most
Of the faces; but theirs was skepti-
cism marked with caution. No matter
which way fortune jumped they wished
to be upon the right side Of the fence.
For moment all eyes were centered
upon Tarzan and then gradually they
drifted to Ko-tan, for from his atti-
tude would they receive the cue that
was evidently in the same Quandary as
they-the very attitude Of his body in
dicoted tit was one OF indecision and
Of doubt.
The ape-man stood erect, his arms
folded upon his broad breast, an ex.
preston Of naughty disdain upon his
handsome face; but to Dak lot there
seemed to be indications also Of growing
anger. The situation was becoming
strained. Dak-lot fidgeted. casting ap-
prehensive glances at Tarzan and ap-
pealing ones at Ko-tan. The silence
of the tomb wrapped the great chamber
of the throne room of Pal ul don.
At last Ko-tan spoke. WHO says
that he is Dor .ul- Otho?' he asked,
casting a terrible look at Oak lot.
"He does!" almost shouted that ter
rifed noble.
"And so 1t must be true?" querfed
Ko tan.
Could 1t be that there was trace
Of irony in the chiefs tone? Otho for
bid! Dak-lot cast q side glance at
Tarzan --a glance that he intended
should carry the assurance Of his own
faith; but that succeeded only In I'm
pressing the ape man with the others
pitiable terror.
20 Ko-tan!" pleaded Oak lot,
your own eyes must convince you that
indeed he Is the son of Otho. Behold
his godlike figure, his hands and his
feet, that are not as ours, and that he
is entirely tailless as Is his mighty
father"
Ko-tan appeared to be perceiving
these facts for the first time and there
was an indication that his skepticism
I was faltering. At that moment young
warrior who had pushed his way for
l ward from the opposite side Of the pyra.
mid to where he could obtain good
look at Tarzan raised his voice.
{ even as Oak lot says, for I am sure
now that have seen Dor ul. Otho be-
! fore. Yesterday rs we were returning
I with the Kor- -ul-lul prisoners we be-
held him seated upon the back Of a
3 great gryf. We hid in the woods before
he came too near, but / saw enough to
make sure that he who rode upon the
4 great beast was none other than the
: messenger who stands here now.'
' This evidence seemed to be quite
h enough to convince the majority of the
: warriors that they indeed stood In the
z presence of deity-their faces showed Il
e only too plainly, and a sudden modesty
e that caused them to shrink behind their
e neighbors. AS their neighbors were at
= tempting to do the same thing, the re-
!, suit was sudden melting away of those
n who stood nearest the ape man, until
n the steps of the pyramid directly be-
fore him lay vacant to the very apex
: and to Ko-tan. The latter, possibly in-
q fuenced as much by the fearful atti-
tude of his followers as by the evidences
adduced, now altered his tone and his
c manner in such degree as might com
\ port with the requirements IL the
= stranger was indeed the Dor Othc
= while leaving his dignity lopohole OF
q escape should 1t appear that he hae
4 entertained an impostor.
d "If indeed you are the Dor-ul'
Otho," he said, addressing Tarzan
o "you will know that our doubts were
I, but natural since we have received nc
It sign from Jad-ben Otho that he in
II tended honoring US 80 greatly, nor how
% could We know, even, that the Grea'
It God had a son? II you are he, all Pal
10 ul don rejoices to honor you II you ART
It not he, swift and terrible shall be thu
y punishment of your temerity. !, Ko'