Ruth left the divan and stood between
the men, terrified by she knew not what fear, but drawn into the
lamplight by insuperable curiosity.
"This, heavenborn," said the Risaldar, prodding at the man with his
scabbard-point, "is none other than the High Priest of Kharvani's
temple here, the arch-ringleader in all the treachery afoot--now
hostage for thy safety!"
He turned to his half-brother. "Unbind the thing he lies with!"
he commanded, and the giant unwrapped a twisted piece of linen from
the High Priest's mouth.
"So the big fox peeped through the trapdoor, because he feared to
trust the other foxes; and the big fox fell into the trap!" grinned
the Risaldar. "Bring me that table over yonder, thou!"
The half-brother did as he was told.
"Lay it here, legs upward, on the floor.
"Now, bind him to it--an arm to a leg and a leg to a leg.
"Remove his shoes.
"Put charcoal in yon brazier. Light it. Bring it hither!"
He seized a brass tongs, chose a glowing coal and held it six inches
from the High Priest's naked foot.
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