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There arose now the question as to what was to be done with the gryf while they remained in the city。 It was with difficulty that Tarzan had prevented the savage beast from attacking all who came near it when they had first entered the camp of Ja…don in the uninhabited gorge next to the Kor…ul…ja； but during the march to Ja…lur the creature had seemed to become accustomed to the presence of the Ho…don。 The latter； however； gave him no cause for annoyance since they kept as far from him as possible and when he passed through the streets of the city he was viewed from the safety of lofty windows and roofs。 However tractable he appeared to have become there would have been no enthusiastic seconding of a suggestion to turn him loose within the city。 It was finally suggested that he be turned into a walled enclosure within the palace grounds and this was done； Tarzan driving him in after Jane had dismounted。 More meat was thrown to him and he was left to his own devices； the awe…struck inhabitants of the palace not even venturing to climb upon the walls to look at him。
Ja…don led Tarzan and Jane to the quarters of the Princess O…lo…a who； the moment that she beheld the ape…man； threw herself to the ground and touched her forehead to his feet。 Pan…at…lee was there with her and she too seemed happy to see Tarzan…jad…guru again。 When they found that Jane was his mate they looked with almost equal awe upon her； since even the most skeptical of the warriors of Ja…don were now convinced that they were entertaining a god and a goddess within the city of Ja…lur； and that with the assistance of the power of these two； the cause of Ja…don would soon be victorious and the old Lion…man set upon the throne of Pal…ul…don。
From O…lo…a Tarzan learned that Ta…den had returned and that they were to be united in marriage with the weird rites of their religion and in accordance with the custom of their people as soon as Ta…den came home from the battle that was to be fought at A…lur。
The recruits were now gathering at the city and it was decided that the next day Ja…don and Tarzan would return to the main body in the hidden camp and immediately under cover of night the attack should be made in force upon Lu…don's forces at A…lur。 Word of this was sent to Ta…den where he awaited with his warriors upon the north side of Jad…ben…lul； only a few miles from A…lur。
In the carrying out of these plans it was necessary to leave Jane behind in Ja…don's palace at Ja…lur； but O…lo…a and her women were with her and there were many warriors to guard them； so Tarzan bid his mate good…bye with no feelings of apprehension as to her safety； and again seated upon the gryf made his way out of the city with Ja…don and his warriors。
At the mouth of the gorge the ape…man abandoned his huge mount since it had served its purpose and could be of no further value to him in their attack upon A…lur； which was to be made just before dawn the following day when； as he could not have been seen by the enemy； the effect of his entry to the city upon the gryf would have been totally lost。 A couple of sharp blows with the spear sent the big animal rumbling and growling in the direction of the Kor…ul…gryf nor was the ape…man sorry to see it depart since he had never known at what instant its short temper and insatiable appetite for flesh might turn it upon some of his companions。
Immediately upon their arrival at the gorge the march on A…lur was commenced。
23
Taken Alive
AS NIGHT fell a warrior from the palace of Ja…lur slipped into the temple grounds。 He made his way to where the lesser priests were quartered。 His presence aroused no suspicion as it was not unusual for warriors to have business within the temple。 He came at last to a chamber where several priests were congregated after the evening meal。 The rites and ceremonies of the sacrifice had been concluded and there was nothing more of a religious nature to make call upon their time until the rites at sunrise。
Now the warrior knew； as in fact nearly all Pal…ul…don knew； that there was no strong bond between the temple and the palace at Ja…lur and that Ja…don only suffered the presence of the priests and permitted their cruel and abhorrent acts because of the fact that these things had been the custom of the Ho…don of Pal…ul…don for countless ages； and rash indeed must have been the man who would have attempted to interfere with the priests or their ceremonies。 That Ja…don never entered the temple was well known； and that his high priest never entered the palace； but the people came to the temple with their votive offerings and the sacrifices were made night and morning as in every other temple in Pal…ul…don。
The warriors knew these things； knew them better perhaps than a simple warrior should have known them。 And so it was here in the temple that he looked for the aid that he sought in the carrying out of whatever design he had。
As he entered the apartment where the priests were he greeted them after the manner which was customary in Pal…ul…don； but at the same time he made a sign with his finger that might have attracted little attention or scarcely been noticed at all by one who knew not its meaning。 That there were those within the room who noticed it and interpreted it was quickly apparent； through the fact that two of the priests rose and came close to him as he stood just within the doorway and each of them； as he came； returned the signal that the warrior had made。
The three talked for but a moment and then the warrior turned and left the apartment。 A little later one of the priests who had talked with him left also and shortly after that the other。
In the corridor they found the warrior waiting； and led him to a little chamber which opened upon a smaller corridor just beyond where it joined the larger。 Here the three remained in whispered conversation for some little time and then the warrior returned to the palace and the two priests to their quarters。
The apartments of the women of the palace at Ja…lur are all upon the same side of a long； straight corridor。 Each has a single door leading into the corridor and at the opposite end several windows overlooking a garden。 It was in one of these rooms that Jane slept alone。 At each end of the corridor was a sentinel； the main body of the guard being stationed in a room near the outer entrance to the women's quarters。
The palace slept for they kept early hours there where Ja…don ruled。 The pal…e…don…so of the great chieftain of the north knew no such wild orgies as had resounded through the palace of the king at A…lur。 Ja…lur was a quiet city by comparison with the capital； yet there was always a guard kept at every entrance to the chambers of Ja…don and his immediate family as well as at the gate leading into the temple and that which opened upon the city。
These guards； however； were small； consisting usually of not more than five or six warriors； one of whom remained awake while the others slept。 Such were the conditions then when two warriors presented themselves； one at either end of the corridor； to the sentries who watched over the safety of Jane Clayton and the Princess O…lo…a； and each of the newcomers repeated to th