But whatever it was that Zunzun confided, Grumgra was evidently well pleased. A broad smile softened his brutish face; into his gleaming little eyes there came a light as of sly enjoyment.
Not a murmur flitted through the assemblage as Grumgra strode sullenly forward, and lifted his club in token of command.
"Zunzun has found out the evil one's name!" he snapped; then he stopped short to give his announcement time to penetrate.
"The evil one is sitting among us now!" continued Grumgra, in portentous tones; then once more he stopped short, while each man peered at his neighbor suspiciously.
"Shall I tell you who the evil one is?" he proceeded, with the manner of one who anticipates a pleasant announcement. "Shall I tell you?"
"Tell us! Tell us!" came an eager chorus.
"Listen then, and I shall tell!" assented Grumgra. And, after another pause, he thrust his left hand out accusingly. "There is the evil one! There he is! There he is!"
Dozens of eyes, straining to see, observed that the condemning finger was pointed straight at Ru.
"It's a lie!" shouted Ru, springing furiously to his feet. "A lie, a lie—"
But before he could complete his denial, powerful hands had seized him, and he was struggling, kicking, tearing and biting, all to no avail, in an over-mastering grip.