"Let me answer for thee, Effendina. Again and again he has defeated
conspiracy. He has blotted it out--by the sword and other means. He has
been a faithful servant to his Prince at least. If he has done after the
manner of all others in power here, the fault is in the system, not in
the man alone. He has been a friend to thee, Kaid."
"I hope to find in thee a better."
"Why should he not live?"
"Thou hast taken his place."
"Is it, then, the custom to destroy those who have served thee, when they
cease to serve?" David rose to his feet quickly. His face was shining
with a strange excitement. It gave him a look of exaltation, his lips
quivered with indignation. "Does thee kill because there is silence in
the grave?"
Kaid blew a cloud of smoke slowly. "Silence in the grave is a fact beyond
dispute," he said cynically.
"Highness, thee changes servants not seldom," rejoined David meaningly.
"It may be that my service will be short. When I go, will the long arm
reach out for me in the burrows where I shall hide?"
Kaid looked at him with ill-concealed admiration.
Pages:
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213