CHAPTER 6THE EARS OF THE MANTICHORE
On impulse, Kellory did not at once return to the inn where the girl Carthalla awaited his coming, but turned into Great Square Street, and sought the Iophantine Palace, the residence of Duke Almery. This noble, of whose fame as a war-leader even Kellory had heard, was the only aristocrat of the Seven Cities who seemed aware of the menace of the Thungoda, and the Warlock desired to have speech with him.
He found the palace a busy place, with pages and messengers coming and going, and officers standing about in small groups, talking in low tones to each other. After cooling his heels for the better part of an hour, Kellory was at last admitted into the presence of the Duke, whom he found bent over a great desk on which lay outstretched a vast, minutely
