"I am to be judged by him who accuses me then," said Tarzan. "It
were better to dispense then with any formalities and ask Lu-don to
sentence me." His tone was ironical and his sneering face, looking
straight into that of the high priest, but caused the latter's
hatred to rise to still greater proportions.
It was evident that Ko-tan and his warriors saw the justice
of Tarzan's implied objection to this unfair method of dispensing
justice. "Only Ko-tan can judge in the throneroom of his palace,"
said Ja-don, "let him hear Lu-don's charges and the testimony of
his witnesses, and then let Ko-tan's judgment be final."
Ko-tan, however, was not particularly enthusiastic over the prospect
of sitting in trial upon one who might after all very possibly be
the son of his god, and so he temporized, seeking for an avenue
of escape. "It is purely a religious matter," he said, "and it is
traditional that the kings of Pal-ul-don interfere not in questions
of the church."
"Then let the trial be held in the temple," cried one of the chiefs,
for the warriors were as anxious as their king to be relieved of
all responsibility in the matter. This suggestion was more than
satisfactory to the high priest who inwardly condemned himself for
not having thought of it before.
"It is true," he said, "this man's sin is against the temple.
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