A quiver of comprehension stirred in Croft's breast. The desire of Lakkon and Jadgor for an interview with himself he could understand. The former it was who had pledged his daughter to the Hupor Jasor, as he was then known, as wife. And Jadgor had approved of the pact. It was but natural that now they should wish some explanation at least, some understanding as to the girl's position, in view of Zud's most extraordinary proclamation. He threw up his head and stared the high priest in the eyes, and found them a trifle uncertain, his whole expression more or less puzzled, even somewhat abashed. "What troubles you, Zud?" he inquired with the feeling that the man knew what it was really that Lakkon and Jadgor desired. And for a moment Zud made no answer; for a moment he seemed to study Croft's face before he began in apologetic fashion: "What I have done I have done for the best, as I now call Zitu to witness; yet are there some things I do not understand." "You refer to the maiden Naia, who by your permission was taken into the quarters of the Gayana?" An opening--an advantage appeared to Croft's mind in a flash. And plainly his question disturbed Zud more than a little. "Aye," he said scarcely above a whisper at length and inclined his head. "To whom ere I slept, by consent of her father and Jadgor, I was pledged?" "Aye, lord. Jadgor and Lakkon also ask themselves--" "Why the Mouthpiece of Zitu should seek a union in the flesh?" Zud clasped his hands before him. He sat with eyes downcast. By an effort, at length he once more lifted his face. "Thou hast spoken, lord," he said. Croft held him with a level regard. "And what says Zud, the high priest?" "That the ways of Zitu are beyond mortal understanding," Zud responded slowly. "Yes," Croft took him up sharply. "Zud, the high priest, endeavored to understand--toward which end, though Abbu of Scira had sworn by Zitu to keep silent, he induced him to talk." "I--I--lord, I absolved him of the oath of silence," Zud faltered, and began a nervous twisting of his interlacing fingers. "And since when may even the high priest rescind that which Zitu has recorded?" A tremor shook the priest. A twitching seized his face. He shrank back and sat staring, staring at the strange individual before him, with whose affairs he had dared to interfere, who now arraigned him with a face and manner gone well-nigh impersonally cold. One could no longer doubt that he had been sincere in what he had done, at least--what he had proclaimed of Croft, he himself believed. Of so much Croft felt convinced as he once more spoke: "High priest of Zitu, in what words was your proclamation to Tamarizia concerning him until now known as the Hupor Jasor made?" * * * * * Zud wet his lips and made answer. "It was said that Zitu had sent us a teacher--one who should reveal to all men his will, through whom he revealed his pleasure--one who was his mouthpiece indeed."