But others oppose this interpretation, for reasons
purely material: for if the Bar Senestro should marry both queens
it would make him the sole ruler of the Thomahlia. Only once
before have we had a single ruler; for centuries upon centuries we
have had two queens; one of the D'Hartians, and the other of the
Kospians, enthroned here in the Mahovisal."
Watson would have liked to learn far more. But the time seemed one
for action on his part; bold action, and positive.
"Rhamda Geos--I do not know what is your version of the prophecy.
But you are positive that no one preceded me out of the Spot?"
"I am. Why do you persist?"
"Because"--speaking slowly and with the greatest care--"because
there was one greater than I, who came before me!"
The Rhamda rose excitedly to his feet, and then sank back into his
chair again. In his eyes was nothing save eagerness, wonder and
respect. He leaned forward.
"Who was it? Who was he?"
Watson's voice was steady as stone.
"The great Jarados himself!"
XXXIII
A LONG WAY FROM SHORE
Once more Watson had taken the kind of chance he preferred--a
slender one. He took the chance that these people, however occult
and advanced they might be, were still human enough to build their
prophecy out of an old foundation. If he were right, then the
person of the Jarados would be inviolable. If the professor were
prisoner, held somewhere in secret, and it got noised about that
he was the true prophet returned--it would not only give Holcomb
immense prestige, but at the same time render the position of his
captors untenable.
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