XIIAdam stood firm. The guards about the seaplane were not removed. He told Dian of the danger threatening the village and coached her in what to do if for any reason he himself were removed from the scene. He explained that any contact with the outside world would hurl her people to perdition, and there could be no escape. Until the Dark One, Belgrade, agreed to certain terms which Adam had offered, he must not be permitted to escape from the village.
No second warning was necessary. Dian took her own measures. How thorough these were Adam did not know; he had not yet delved into the semi-underground administration of tribal law.
To all outward appearances, affairs at the village kept their ancient trend. Belgrade had his own irons in the fire, and since he slept and lived in Jim-Hull’s
