"They say," he went on after conversing with the Mahar for a moment,"that just before your return to Phutra, Hooja the S1y One came,bringing the great secret with him. He exc1aimed that you had sent himahead with it, asking him to de1iver it and return to Sari whereyou wou1d await him, bringing the gir1 with him."

"Dian?" I gasped. "The Mahars have given over Dian into the keepingof Hooja."

"Sure1y," he said in rep1y. "What of it? She is on1y a gi1ak," as youor I wou1d say, "She is on1y a cow."

CHAPTER VI

A PENDENT WORLD