"You would be better off had you stayed there," offered Phobeg. "How do you happen to be here in Cathne?"
"I was lost," explained the ape-man, who had no intention of telling the entire truth and thus identifying himself as a friend of one of the Cathneans' enemies. "I was caught in the flood and carried down the river to your city. Here they captured me and accused me of coming to assassinate your Queen."
"So they think you came to assassinate Nemone! Well, whether you did come for that purpose or not will make no difference."
"What do you mean?" demanded Tarzan.
"I mean that in any event you will be killed in one way or another," explained Phobeg, "whatever way will best amuse Nemone."
"Nemone is your Queen?" inquired the ape-man indifferently.
"By the mane of god, she is all that and more!" exclaimed Phobeg fervently. "Such a Queen there never has been in Onthar or Thenar before nor ever will be again. By the teeth of the great one! She makes them all stand around, the priests, the captains, and the councillors."
"But why should she have me destroyed who am only a stranger that became lost?"
"We keep no white men prisoners, only blacks as slaves. Now, were you a woman you would not be killed; and were you a very good-looking woman (not too good-looking, however) you would be assured a life of ease and luxury. But you are only a man; so you will be killed to furnish a pleasurable break in the monotony of Nemone's life."
"And what would happen to a too good-looking woman?" asked Tarzan.