Lodivarman, a malignant scowl upon his face, crouched upon his great
throne. Surrounding him were his warlords and his ministers, his high
priests and the officers of his household; and at his left knelt a
slave bearing a great golden platter piled high with mushrooms. But
for the moment Lodivarman was too intent upon his vengeance to be
distracted even by the cravings of his unnatural appetite, for here at
last he had within his grasp the creature that had centred upon itself
all the unbridled rage of a tyrant.
Trembling with the anger that he could not conceal, Lodivarman glared
at Gordon King as the prisoner was led to the foot of the dais below
his throne.
"Where is the girl?" demanded the King angrily.
"The Princess Fou-tan is safe in the palace of Beng Kher," replied King.
"How did you get her away? Some one must have helped you. If you
would save yourself the anguish of torture, speak the truth," cried
Lodivarman, his voice trembling with rage.
"Lodivarman, the King, knows better than any other how I took Fou-tan
from him," replied the American.
"I do not mean that," screamed Lodivarman, trembling. "Siva will see
that you suffer sufficient agonies for the indignity that you put upon
me, but I can curtail that if you will reveal your accomplices."
"I had no accomplices," replied King. "I took the Princess and walked
out of your palace and no one saw me."
"How did you get out?" demanded Lodivarman.
King smiled. "You are going to torture me, Lodivarman, and you are
going to kill me. Why should I give you even the gratification of
satisfying your curiosity? Wantonly you have already destroyed three
men in your anger. I shall be the fourth. The life of any one of us is
worth more than yours. If I could I would not add further to the debt
that you must pay in the final accounting when you face God beyond the
grave."
"What do you know, stranger, of the gods of the Khmers?" demanded
Lodivarman.
"I know little or nothing of Brahma, of Vishnu, or Siva," replied King,
"but I do know that above all there is a God that kings and tyrants
must face; and in His eyes even a good king is no greater than a good
slave, and of all creatures a tyrant is the most despicable."
"You would question the power of Brahma, of Vishnu, and of Siva!"
hissed Lodivarman. "You dare to set your God above them! Before you die
then, by the gods, you shall seek their mercy in your anguish."
"Whatever my suffering may be, you will be its author, Lodivarman,"
replied King. "The gods will have nothing to do with it."
A minor priest came near and whispered in the King's ear. Vay Thon,
the high priest, was there, too. The old man stood with his eyes fixed
compassionately upon King, but he knew he was powerless to aid his
friend, for who should know better than a high priest the power of
kings and the futility of gods.
The priest appeared to be urging something upon his ruler with
considerable enthusiasm.
Lodivarman listened to the whispered words of counsel, and then for
some time he sat in thought. Presently he raised his eyes to King
again. "It pleases us to prove the power of our Gods, revealing their
omnipotence to the eyes of our people. My Lord the Tiger knows no
god; you shall contend with him. If your God be so powerful, let him
preserve you from the beast." Lodivarman helped himself to mushrooms
and sank back in his throne. "Take him to the pit of My Lord the
Tiger," he said presently; "but do not liberate the great beast until
we come."
The soldiers surrounded King and led him away, but before they had
reached the doorway leading from the audience chamber Lodivarman halted
them. "Wait!" he cried. "It shall not be said that Lodivarman is unfair
even to an enemy. When this man enters the pit with My Lord the Tiger,
see that he has a javelin wherewith to defend himself. I have heard
stories of his prowess; let us see if they were exaggerated."
From the palace, King was led across the royal garden to the great
temple of Siva; and there, upon one of the lower levels, a place where
he had never been before, he was conducted to a small amphitheatre, in
the centre of which was sunk a deep pit that was, perhaps, a hundred
feet square. The entrance to the pit was down a stairway and along a
narrow corridor of stone to massive wooden doors which the soldiers
threw open.
"Enter, Gordon King," said Vama. "Here is my javelin, and may your God
and my gods be with you."
"Thanks!" said King. "I imagine that I shall need them all," and then
he stepped into the sunlit pit as the doors were closed behind him.
The floor and walls of the cubicle were of blocks of stone set
without mortar, but so perfectly fitted that the joints were scarcely
discernible. As King stood with his back against the doorway through
which he had entered the pit, he saw in the wall opposite him another
door of great planks, a low sinister door, behind which he guessed
paced a savage, hungry carnivore.
King hefted the javelin in his hand. It was a sturdy, well-balanced
weapon. Once again he recalled his college days when he had hurled a
similar weapon beneath the admiring eyes of his mates; but then only
distance had counted, only the superficial show that is the keynote of
civilisation had mattered.
What mattered it that other men might cast a javelin more accurately?
which after all would be the practical test of efficiency. Gordon King
could cast it farther than any of them, which was a feat far more showy
than accuracy; but from the unlettered Che he had learned what college
had failed to teach him and had acquired an accuracy as uncanny as the
great distances that had won him fame.
Twice already had he met My Lord the Tiger and vanquished him with
his javelin. Each time it had seemed to King a miracle. That it could
be repeated again, that for the third time he could overcome the lord
of Asia seemed incredible. And what would it profit him were he to
succeed? From the cruel fangs and talons of the tiger he would be
transferred to the greater cruelties of Lodivarman.
As he stood there upon the stone flagging of the pit beneath the hot
sun that poured its unobstructed rays into the enclosure, he saw the
audience sauntering to the stone benches that encircled the arena. It
was evident that those who were to witness his destruction were members
of the household of the King; princes and nobles and warriors there
were and ministers and priests, and with them were their women. Last of
all came Lodivarman with his bodyguard and slaves. To a canopied throne
he made his way while the audience knelt, the meeker of them touching
their foreheads to the stone flagging of the aisles. Before his throne
Lodivarman halted, while his dead eyes swept quickly over the assembly,
passing from them to the arena and the solitary warrior standing there
below him. For a long moment the gaze of the King was riveted upon
the American; hatred and suppressed rage were in that long, venomous
appraisal of the man who had thwarted and humiliated him--that low
creature that had dared lay profaning hands upon the person of the King.
Slowly Lodivarman sank into his throne. Then he made a brief sign to
an attendant, and an instant later the notes of a trumpet floated out
across the still air of the arena. The kneeling men and women arose and
took their seats. Once again Lodivarman raised his hand, and again the
trumpet sounded, and every eye was turned upon the low doorway upon the
opposite side of the arena from the American.
King saw the heavy barrier rise slowly. In the darkness beyond it
nothing was visible at first, but presently he was aware that something
moved within, and then he saw the familiar yellow and black stripes
that he had expected. Slowly a great tiger stepped into the doorway,
pausing upon the threshold, blinking from the glare of the sunlight.
His attention was attracted first by the people upon the stone benches
above him, and he looked up at them and growled. Then he looked down
and saw King. Instantly his whole attitude changed. He half crouched,
and his tail moved in sinuous undulations; his head was flattened, and
his eyes glared fiercely.
Gordon King did not wait for the attack. He had a theory of his own
based upon his experience with wild beasts. He knew them to be nervous
and oftentimes timid when confronted by emergencies that offered
aspects that were new and unfamiliar.
A gasp of astonishment, not unmingled with admiration, arose from
the people lining the edges of the pit, for the thing that they
witnessed was as surprising to them as King hoped it would be to the
tiger--instead of the beast charging the man, they saw the man charging
the beast. Straight toward the crouching carnivore King ran, his spear
balanced and ready in his hand.
For an instant the tiger hesitated. He had expected nothing like this;
and then he did what King had hoped that he might do, what he had
known there was a fair chance that he would do. Fearful of the new and
unexpected, the beast turned and broke, and as he did so he exposed his
left side fully and at close range to the quick eye of his antagonist.
Swift as lightning moved King's spear-arm. The heavy javelin, cast with
unerring precision and backed to the last ounce by the strength and
the weight of the American, tore into the striped side just behind the
left shoulder of the great beast. At the instant that the weapon left
his hand King turned and raced to the far extremity of the arena. The
running tiger, carried by his own momentum, rolled over and over upon
the stone flagging; his horrid screams and coughing roars shook the
amphitheatre. King was positive that the beast's heart was pierced, but
he knew that these great cats were so tenacious of life that in the
brief instant of their dying they often destroyed their adversaries
also. It was for this reason that he had put as much distance as he
could between himself and the infuriated animal, and it was well that
he had done so, for the instant that the tiger had regained his feet he
discovered King and charged straight for him.
Unarmed and helpless, the man stood waiting. Breathless, the spectators
had arisen from their stone benches and were bending eagerly forward in
tense anticipation of the cruel and bloody end.
Half the length of the arena the tiger crossed in great bounds. A
sudden conviction swept the man that after all he had missed the heart.
He was poised for what he already knew must be a futile leap to one
side in an effort to dodge the first charge of the onrushing beast,
when suddenly the tiger collapsed, seemingly in mid-air; and his great
carcass came rolling across the flagging to stop at King's feet.
For an instant there was utter silence, and then a great shout rose
from the spectators. "He has won his life, Lodivarman! He has won his
freedom!" arose here and there from the braver among them, and the
others cheered in approval.
Lodivarman, crouching in his throne with an ugly sneer upon his lips,
called a functionary to him for a few, brief whispered instructions,
and then the Leper King arose and passed through the kneeling people as
he departed from the amphitheatre.
A moment later the door that had opened to admit King to the pit
creaked again upon its hinges to admit Vama and an escort of warriors.
King greeted his former comrade with a smile. "Have you come to finish
the work that the tiger failed to do," he asked, "or have you come to
escort me to freedom?"
"Neither," replied Vama. "We have come to return you to your cell,
for such are the commands of the King. But if he does not set you
free eventually," added Vama in low tones, "it will be to the lasting
disgrace of Lodivarman, for never was a man more deserving of his life
and liberty than you. You are the first man, Gordon King, who has ever
faced the tiger in this pit and come out alive."
"Which does not at all satisfy Lodivarman's craving for revenge,"
suggested the American.
"I am afraid you are right," said Vama, as they moved along the
corridor toward the dungeon, "but you must know that to-day you have
made many new friends in Lodidhapura, for there are those among us who
can appreciate courage, strength and skill."
"My mistake," said King, "was not in my selection of friends, but in my
selection of an enemy; for the latter, I have found one from whom all
the friends in the world may not save me."
Once again in his gloomy, cheerless cell King was fettered to the cold,
familiar stone; but he was cheered by the kind words of Vama and the
friendly expressions of other members of the guard that had escorted
him hither; and when presently a slave came with food he, too, had
words of praise and friendliness; and the food that he brought was well
prepared and plentiful.
The day passed and the long night followed, and toward the middle of
the next forenoon a visitor came to King's cell; and as he paused in
the doorway, the prisoner recognised the yellow robe and the white
beard of Vay Thon, the high priest of Siva, and his face lighted with
pleasure, as the old man peered into the dim interior of his prison.
"Welcome, Vay Thon!" he exclaimed, "and accept my apologies for the
mean hospitality that I may offer so distinguished and so welcome a
guest."
"Give that no thought, my son," replied the old man. "It is enough that
so courageous a warrior should receive a poor old priest with such
pleasure as is evidenced by your tone. I am glad to be with you, but I
wish that it might be under happier circumstances and that I might be
the bearer of more welcome news."
"You have brought news to me, then?" asked King.
"Yes," replied Vay Thon. "Because of what I owe you and for the
friendship that I feel for you I have come to warn you, though any
warning of your impending doom can avail you nothing."
"Lodivarman will not give me my liberty or my life, then?" asked King.
"No," replied Vay Thon. "The affront that you put upon him he considers
beyond forgiveness. You are to be destroyed, but in such a way that the
responsibility shall not rest upon the shoulders of Lodivarman."
"And how is this to be accomplished?" asked the American.
"You are to be summoned to the audience chamber of Lodivarman to
receive your freedom and then you are to be set upon and assassinated
by members of his guard. The story is to be spread that you sought to
take the life of Lodivarman, so that his soldiers were compelled to
slay you."
"Vay Thon," said King, "perhaps the warning that you bring me may
not save me from the fate that Lodivarman has ordained; but it has
demonstrated your friendship; and my last hours, therefore, will be
happier because you came. And now go, for if the knowledge that you
have imparted prompts me to take advantage of some opportunity for
revenge or escape, there must be no clue to suggest that you are in any
way responsible."
"I appreciate your thoughtfulness, my friend," replied the old priest,
"and as I can be of no service to you I shall leave you, but know that
constantly I shall supplicate the gods to protect you." He came and
placed his hands upon King's shoulders. "Good-bye, my son, my heart is
heavy," and as the tears welled in his old eyes he turned and left the
cell.
Vay Thon had been gone but a short time when King heard the sound of
footsteps approaching, and with these were mingled the clank of armour
and the rattling of accoutrements. Presently, when the men halted
before the doorway of his cell, he saw that they were all strangers to
him. The officer who commanded them entered the cell, greeting King
pleasantly.
"I bring you good news," he said, as he stooped and unlocked the
padlock and cast King's fetters from him.
"Any news would be good news here," replied the American.
"But this is the best of all news," said the officer. "Lodivarman has
commanded that you be conducted to him that he may grant you your
freedom in person."
"Splendid," said King, though he could scarcely repress a smile as he
recalled the message that Vay Thon had brought him.
Back to the now familiar audience chamber of the King they conducted
the prisoner, and once again he stood before the throne of Lodivarman.
There were few in attendance upon the monarch, a fact which suggested
that he had not cared to share the secret of his perfidy with more than
was absolutely necessary. But few though they were, the inevitable
slave was there, kneeling at Lodivarman's side with his platter of
mushrooms; and it was the sight of these lowly fungi that instantly
riveted the attention of the doomed man, for suddenly they had become
more important than brass-bound soldiers, than palace functionaries,
than the King himself, for they had suggested to the American a
possible means of salvation.
He knew that he must think and act quickly, for he had no means of
knowing how soon the signal for his assassination would be given.
Surrounded by his guards, he crossed the audience chamber and halted
before the throne of Lodivarman. He should have prostrated himself
then, but he did not; instead he looked straight into the dead eyes of
the tyrant.
"Lodivarman," he said, "listen to me for a moment before you give the
signal that will put into execution the plan that you have conceived,
for at this instant your own life and happiness hang in the balance."
"What do you mean?" demanded Lodivarman.
"You questioned the power of my God, Lodivarman," continued King, "but
you saw me vanquish My Lord the Tiger in the face of the wrath of Siva,
and now you know that I am aware of just what you planned for me here.
How could I have vanquished the beast, or how could I have known your
plans except through the intervention and the favour of my God?"
Lodivarman seemed ill at ease. His eyes shifted suspiciously from one
man to another. "I have been betrayed," he said angrily.
"On the contrary," replied King, "you have been given such an
opportunity as never could have come to you without me. Will you hear
me before I am slain?"
"I do not know what you are talking about. I sent for you to free you;
but speak on, I am listening."
"You are a leper," said King, and at the hideous word Lodivarman sprang
to his feet, trembling with rage, his face livid, his dead eyes glaring.
"Death to him!" he cried. "No man may speak that accursed word to me
and live."
At Lodivarman's words warriors sprang menacingly toward King. "Wait!"
cried the American. "You have told me that you would listen. Wait until
I have spoken, for what I have to say means more to you than life
itself."
"Speak, then, but be quick," snapped Lodivarman.
"In the great country from which I come," continued King, "there are
many brilliant physicians who have studied all of the diseases to which
mankind is heir. I, too, am a physician, and under many of those men
have I studied and particularly have I studied the disease of leprosy.
Lodivarman, you believe this disease to be incurable; but I, the man
whom you would destroy, can cure you."
King's voice, well modulated but clear and distinct, had carried his
words to every man in the audience chamber, and the silence which
followed his dramatic declaration was so profound that one might have
said that no man even breathed. All felt the tenseness of the moment.
Lodivarman, who had sunk back into his throne after his wild outburst
of anger, seemed almost to have collapsed. He was trembling visibly,
his lower jaw dropped upon his chest. King knew that the man was
impressed, that all within the audience chamber were impressed, and his
knowledge of human nature told him that he had won, for he knew that
Lodivarman, King though he was, was only human and that he would grasp
at even the most impalpable suggestion of hope that might be offered
him in the extremity of his fear and loathing for the disease that
claimed him.
Presently the tyrant found his voice. "You can cure me?" he asked,
almost piteously.
"My life shall be the forfeit," replied King, "on condition that you
swear before your gods in the presence of Vay Thon, the high priest,
that in return for your health you will grant me life and liberty--"
"Life, liberty, and every honour that lies within my power shall
be conferred upon you," cried Lodivarman, his voice trembling with
emotion. "If you rid me of this horrid sickness, aught that you ask
shall be granted. Come, let us not delay. Cure me at once."
"The sickness has held you for many years, Lodivarman," replied King,
"and it cannot be cured in a day. I must prepare medicine, and you must
carry out the instructions that I shall give you, for I can cure you
only if you obey me implicitly."
"How do I know that you will not poison me?" demanded Lodivarman.
King thought for a moment. Here was an obstacle that he had not
foreseen, and then suddenly a solution suggested itself. "I can satisfy
you as to that, Lodivarman," he replied, "for when I prepare medicine
for you I shall take some of it myself in your presence."
Lodivarman nodded. "That will safeguard me," he said, "and now what
else?"
"Put me where Vay Thon, the high priest, can watch me always. You trust
him, and he will see that no harm befalls you through me. He will help
me to obtain the medicine that I require, and to-morrow I shall be
ready to commence the treatment. But in the meantime your system must
be prepared to permit the medicine to take effect, and in this I can do
nothing without your co-operation."
"Speak!" said Lodivarman. "Whatever you suggest I shall do."
"Have every mushroom in Lodidhapura destroyed," said King. "Have your
slave burn those that have been prepared, and determine never to taste
another."
Lodivarman scowled angrily. "What have mushrooms to do with the cure?"
he demanded. "They afford me the only pleasure that I have in life.
This is naught but a trick to annoy and discomfort me."
"As you will," said King with a shrug. "I can cure you, but only if you
obey my instructions. My medicines will have no effect if you continue
to eat mushrooms. But it is up to you, Lodivarman. Do as you choose."
For a time the ruler sat tapping nervously upon the arm of his throne,
and then suddenly and almost savagely he turned upon the kneeling slave
at his side. "Throw out the accursed things," he cried. "Throw them
out! Destroy them! Burn them! And never let me set my eyes upon you
again."
Trembling, the slave departed, carrying the platter of mushrooms
with him, and then Lodivarman directed his attention upon one of the
officers of his household. "Destroy the royal mushroom bed," he cried,
"and see to it that you do it thoroughly," and then to another, "Summon
Vay Thon." As the officers left the room Lodivarman turned to King
again. "How long will it be before I am cured?" he asked.
"I cannot tell that until I see how you react to my medicine," replied
the American; "but I believe that you will see almost immediate
improvement. It may be very slow, and on the other hand, it may come
very rapidly."
While they waited for Vay Thon, Lodivarman plied King with question
after question; and now that he was convinced that men had been cured
of leprosy and that he himself might be cured, a great change seemed
to come over him. It was as though a new man had been born; his
whole aspect appeared to change, as the hideous burden of fear and
hopelessness that he had carried for so many years was dissipated by
the authoritative manner and confident pronouncement of the American.
And when Vay Thon entered the audience chamber, he saw a smile upon
Lodivarman's face for the first time in so many years that he had
almost forgotten that the man could smile.
Quickly Lodivarman explained the situation to Vay Thon and gave him
his instructions relative to the American, for he wished the latter to
hasten the preparation of his medicine.
"To-morrow," he cried, as the two men were backing from the apartment,
"to-morrow my cure shall commence." And Gordon King did not tell him
that his cure already had started, that it had started the instant that
he had given orders for the destruction of the royal mushroom bed, for
he did not wish Lodivarman to know what he knew--that the man was not
a leper and never had been, that what in his ignorance he had thought
was leprosy was nothing more than an aggravated form of dermatitis,
resulting from food poisoning. At least King prayed that his diagnosis
was correct.