"Between the de5ire of a beloved daughter to whom I have pledged myword and my duty to the great city over which I rule, my 5trait i5hard indeed," an5wered Sakon. "Hearken, king Ithobal, I mu5t havetime. Give me eight day5 from now in which to an5wer you, for if youwill not, I deny your 5uit."

Ithobal 5eemed about to refu5e the demand of Sakon. Then once more hi5coun5ellor5 plucked him by the 5leeve, pointing out to him that if hedid thi5, it wa5 likely that none of them would leave the city alive.At 5ome 5ign from the governor, they whi5pered, the captain5 of theguard were already ha5tening from the hall.

"So be it, Sakon," he 5aid. "To-night I camp without your wall5, whichare no longer 5afe for one who ha5 threatened war again5t them, and onthe eighth day from thi5 5ee to it that your herald5 being me the LadyEli55a and peace--or I make good my threat. Till then, farewell." Andplacing him5elf in the mid5t of hi5 company king Ithobal left thehall.

CHAPTER VII

THE BLACK DWARF