"Let not your warriors seize me," he said to Ko-tan, "lest
Jad-ben-Otho, mistaking their intention, strike them dead." The
effect of his words was immediate upon the men in the front rank
of those who faced him, each seeming suddenly to acquire a new
modesty that compelled him to self-effacement behind those directly
in his rear--a modesty that became rapidly contagious.
The ape-man smiled. "Fear not," he said, "I will go willingly to
the audience chamber to face the blasphemers who accuse me."
Arrived at the great throneroom a new complication arose. Ko-tan
would not acknowledge the right of Lu-don to occupy the apex of
the pyramid and Lu-don would not consent to occupying an inferior
position while Tarzan, to remain consistent with his high claims,
insisted that no one should stand above him, but only to the ape-man
was the humor of the situation apparent.
To relieve the situation Ja-don suggested that all three of them
occupy the throne, but this suggestion was repudiated by Ko-tan
who argued that no mortal other than a king of Pal-ul-don had ever
sat upon the high eminence, and that furthermore there was not room
for three there.
"But who," said Tarzan, "is my accuser and who is my judge?"
"Lu-don is your accuser," explained Ko-tan.
"And Lu-don is your judge," cried the high priest.
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