"Did what?" demanded the American.
"How you got into the King's apartment unseen and got out again with the girl. Three men have died for it already, but Lodivarman is no nearer a solution of the puzzle than he was at first."
"Who died and why?" demanded King.
"The major-domo, for one," said the warrior.
"The major-domo did naught but obey the orders of Lodivarman," said King.
"You seem to know a lot about it," replied the warrior; "yet that is the very reason that he died. For once in his life he should have disobeyed the King, but he failed to do so, and Lodivarman lay bound and gagged until Vay Thon came to his rescue."
"Who else died?" asked King.
"The sentry who was posted at the banquet door with you. He had to admit that he had deserted his post, leaving you there alone; and with him was slain the officer of the guard who posted you, a stranger, inside the King's palace."
"And these were all?" asked King.
"Yes," said the warrior. And when King smiled he asked him why he smiled.