CHAPTER XI WITH A MOTOR IN PALOS And in that car he passed the palace gates, where the winged dogs stood guard, and entered the palace court. Guards in burnished cuirasses leaped to the gnuppas' heads when Magur drew rein. Inclining his head, Magur stepped from his car and led the way within that wing of the palace where Croft already knew that Jadgor led his private life. The high priest moved as of perfect right, saluted by a sentry here and there in corridor and hall. So at length he came to two guardsmen posted outside a door of molded copper, embossed with the symbol of a setting sun, which Croft sensed at once as Aphur's sign. And here Magur asked for the king. Quitting his fellow, one of the guardsmen disappeared through the door, was absent for some few moments, and returned. Leaving the door agape behind him, he signed Magur and Croft to enter the room beyond. Thus for the third time Croft came upon Jadgor of Aphur. And now, as on the first occasion, he found him in the room where he had conversed with Lakkon concerning a way to counter Zollaria's plans. Yet now for the first time he met Aphur's ruler in the flesh, and faced him man to man. Magur approached the seat where Jadgor waited his coming. "King of Aphur," he said. "I bring with me Jasor of Nodhur, in whom Zitu himself has worked a miracle, as it seems, so that he who was known a dull wit for cycles at Scira's school, having fallen ill unto death, returns to life with a changed mind, and comes bringing tablets to me from a brother in Scira to the end that I gain him audience with thee." "With me," Jadgor said, bending a glance at Croft. "Aye." Jadgor continued to study Croft. "To what end?" he inquired at length. "To the end that Himyra and all Aphur may grow strong beyond any Tamarizian dream, and Cathur never mount the throne at Zitra," Croft replied. Jadgor started. He narrowed his eyes. "What talk is this?" he cried, his strong hand gripping the edge of his seat. "Jadgor the king knows best in his heart," said Croft, and waited. "I ask but his aid to bring this thing to pass." "These things have been spoken to Magur?" Jadgor turned his eyes to the face of the priest. "Aye," Croft said quickly. Jadgor nodded. "Then speak of them to me." An hour passed while Croft explained and the two Tamarizians listened or bent above the drawings he unrolled. "And this--how do you name it--" Jadgor began at last. "Motur." Croft threw the word into the native speech. "This motur will do these things?" Jadgor asked in a tone of amaze. "All I have promised, and more." "And what is required to bring this to pass?" "Workers in metals--a supply of wine to be used as I shall direct--and a closed mouth that Cathur shall not be advised, nor permitted to view the work until done."