He would be wholly within my power and heknew that
I knew it.
No, said the ape, and this time the word was
clearly enunciated.
You have told me enough to convince methat that can
never be. The man with half a simian brain and the ape with a half human brain? Ras
Thavas, I said, You have long been training me to this end.
You are more than that to me, I told
her.
Slowly he backed from the table to the floor,
keeping the formerbetween us. I understand now, why you have trained me, I said. For
I surely see a way; howeverslight a possibility for success it may have, still, it
is a way. Ras Thavas calls me Vad Varo, I told her.
Vad Varo will discover the absence of the subject
and report thematter to me. In the corridor, perhaps, lurked those watchful eyes. To
right the wrong that has been done you, Valla Dia, I said.
Half the night I lay awake, racking my brains for
some solution to theproblem.
You arebetter off here, where you can be preserved
in the interests ofscience. You admire me for what I am, not for what Ilook like, so
let us leave well enough alone. Then depart at once and select the slaves who are to
assist you.
It is not you, remember that when you see it and do
not feel toobadly. It would do you no good, I assured him, for you could never
escape.
Ras Thavas investigation revealed nothing. He
nodded and preceded me towards the runway that led to the vaultsbeneath the
building. I could nothave done better myself, he said.
I understand now, why you have trained me, I said.
None other than the body now owned by the Jeddara Xaxa will fulfillyour promise to
me, I said. As we descended, the corridors and passagewaysindicated long
disuse.
As I left him I noticed a crafty smile of
satisfaction upon his lips.
The subject will be quartered near you where you
may regularly observeit, continued Ras Thavas.
In attempting to save you I have but brought
destruction upon you. You are more than that to me, I told her. Several times it
seemed to essay to speak but only inarticulate soundsissued from its
throat.
It would mean war between Toonol and Phundahl, he
fumed.
It was because of the ruthlessness of Jal Had,
Prince of Amhor, shereplied.
Are you willing to pay more thatthis operation may
be successfully concluded?
The man with half a simian brain and the ape with a
half human brain?
If I bring Xaxa here will you make the transfer?