The guards hesitated. Watson detained them with a motion of his hand.
Taller said, "I suggest you turn him over to me, to be dealt with in the traditional way of the People."
"No," Chessman said hoarsely. "Barry, Dick, Natt, send me back to the Pedagogue. I'll be out of things there. Or maybe Mayer can use me on Genoa."
They didn't bother to look in his direction. Roberts muttered savagely, "We told you all that was needed was a spark. Now you've killed the Khan, the most popular man on Texcoco. There's no way of saving you."
Taller said, "None of you have studied our traditions, our customs. But now, perhaps, you will understand the added effect of my taking charge. It will be a more ... profitable manner of using the downfall of this ... this power mad murderer."
Chessman said desperately, "Look, Barry, Natt, if you have to, shoot me. At least give me a man's death. Remember those human sacrifices the Tulans had when we first arrived? Can you imagine what went on in those temples? Barry, Dick—for old time's sake, boys ..."
Barry Watson said to Taller, "He's yours. If this doesn't take the pressure off us, nothing will."
X.
At the end of the third decade, the Texcocan delegation was already seated in the Pedagogue's lounge when Jerome Kennedy, Martin Gunther, Peter MacDonald, Fredric Buchwald and three Genoese, Baron Leonar and the Honorables Russ and Modrin appeared.