“That is all fully agreed to, dear little brother,” I said firmly, “but some things must be understood. The first is that no harm shall befall any man taken out of the valley by the king’s order.”
“You don’t trust me, Choseph,” he replied, looking hurt.
“Far more than you trust me,” I kindly but emphatically said. “While I know that wisdom and a noble purpose are in your and Lentala’s every plan and act, I have heavy responsibilities, and I know that four heads would be better than two in this matter. I have no right to go ahead in the dark, and I demand to know what the plans are.”
The pain in Beelo’s face deepened, but there was no resentment.
“It isn’t that I don’t trust you, Choseph,” he said, an appealing look in his eyes.
“What is it, then?”
He looked hunted, and blurted out:
“That’s what you and Christopher are going with me for,—to keep from harm the man whom the king will send for, and——”
“What is the danger to him?” I insisted.
“I don’t know! I can only imagine!” he passionately said. “It’s horrible. I think you understand. And you are to lay plans with Lentala for saving the colony.”