 In the city of Rattor, preparations for the attack upon Artea, white queen of Tor, are being completed by the huge yellow-skinned Shan, Ukha, and Darno. The Frenchman over here is Temur and Pol-Tar, two Rattorian chiefs, conspiring to advise Artea of the Rattorian plans. In leaving his hiding place, Darno is trapped by the conspirators. In the palace of Tor, word is brought to Artea of a planned revolt among the slaves of the jewel pits. With Wang Tai, the renegade Chinese, and Mungo, her chief of warriors, Artea hastens through the pits to investigate the rumor, and to question Kailuk, the Rattorian's slave, reported to be the instigator of the conspiracy. When he denies all knowledge of the plot, Artea, in a furious rage, orders him whipped until he confesses. Oh! Oh! Enough, Mungo! Well, Rattori, you have tasted the lash. Speak now, or by pun too, the guards will tear the flesh from your bones. I know nothing. Fool! You shall speak or die! Mungo, continue with the whip! Wait! Artea, why do you not ask me about the revolt? Ah, Tarzan of the apes, then there is a conspiracy. Speak! What do you know of it? First order Kailuk released. He's not at the bottom of it. You know, then, who is? I'll answer that when Kailuk's been released. You defy me? By the gods of Thor, I... Very well. Mungo, release Rattori. So, Tarzan, he is free. Speak now. Who is he who dares lift his voice against me? Point him out. Your lot will be the easier. I'm not worried about my lot. But what do you intend doing with Janetta, and O'Rourke, and Kailuk here? I have given the orders concerning them. So I understand. O'Rourke and Kailuk, with others who wear the golden collar, go to the lions. And Janetta, the winner of my fight with Mungo. Is that right? How do you know that? It's enough that I know. Am I right? Well, and if you are? Then you'll have to change your plans as far as O'Rourke and Kailuk are concerned. If you expect me to tell you what I know about this revolt. You dare dispute the word of Artea, queen of Thor, by pun through Tarzan of the apes, I shall... Your threats don't interest me, Artea. However, I'll bargain with you. Immunity and freedom for O'Rourke and Kailuk, for the name of the man who's at the bottom of the revolt among your slaves. And, Janet Burton, you are satisfied, almighty king of the apes to see her become the mate of Mungo. If he can beat me in our fight, yes. This time, my Tarzan, you are too sure of yourself, too confident. Mungo will kill you and win the woman. Terence O'Rourke and that oratorian dog, Kailuk, will go into the lion arena. Suit yourself, Artea. Come on, O'Rourke. Kailuk, back to the pit. Wait! I have not finished with you, Tarzan of the apes. Point out to me the one responsible for this revolt. Do O'Rourke and Kailuk go free? No. Then find him yourself, if you can. Mungo, guard to the public whipping posts with them. Notify the populace, the court, my chiefs and nobles. At one hour past midday, Tarzan, every man, woman and child in tour will see the fleshed thrift from your bones with the whips. Meanwhile, in the little anti-room in the Sean's palace in Rattor, where Darno has overheard the plot to deliver the Rattorian war plans to Artea, the Frenchman is trapped as he tries to leave his hiding place by Temur and Poltar. The two Rattorian conspirators. Oh, the white stranger who counsels our Sean to make war upon the Torians. The Kismet Poltar. Who's the shot is? And to what, Paul Darno, do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit? To curiosity, Monami. In passing that window, I heard voices speaking in English. So you entered through the Kismet perhaps to listen? How long have you been in this chamber? Long enough, Mr. Temur, to learn that you and your colleague here are traitors to your Sean. You are frank, Paul Darno. You realize that you're in a dangerous position? And do you realize, my friend, that I have only to Paul and those chiefs out there on the landing, those men loyal to their Sean, will come to my aid? It would be unwise for you to raise your voice, stranger. Ah, I am a prisoner then. Let us say, a guest. I have ordered the guard to remain before the corridor and permit no one to enter during your visit. And how long do you think to hold me before Ruka and the Sean become curious at my absence? Your disappearance will be explained satisfactorily. Come into the next room. Close the door, Paul Darno. My private chamber, Paul Darno, in which you see there are no windows. You will be safe here, if not comfortable. Too much talk, Temur. What shall we do with him? For the time being, he will remain here. I shall go presently and report to the Sean the disappearance of the White Stranger. And how, mon ami, will you explain that? You will see. Paul Darno, tell the shoot from his back. Don't at the best, if you think I shall stand idly by and permit you to. I'll restrain your strength, Paul Darno. These white men are pigmies. Be quiet, stranger. No, no. Here, Temur, with the shirt. What now? In the cabinet there. You will find cords with which to bind his hands and feet. Get them. And as soon as we leave him alone, he will cry out. It will be better to put him out of the way at once. Here are the cords. With a gag between his teeth, he will not cry out. Bind his wrists while I look to his feet. A waste of time, this. Throw him to the lion, say I. That is an idea. So, that will do for the present. Now, cloth for the gag. That tunic on the couch. Help! Help! By rotor, that cry will bring the guards. What's the cloth between his teeth? Bind it behind his head. Leave the guards to me if they come. Your knight now, Paul Darno. Cut his arm enough to bring a flow of blood. Why not cut his throat and be done with it? Do as I say. A cut high on the arm. I want his shirt stained with blood. It must be well colored to serve my purpose. There. It is done. And our plans, what of them? They must be changed. I will ride with you to talk. Nah, wagambo. Silence, Temur, to speak before the stranger. He shall make no use of what he hears. Or has heard. Here, the shirt. It is well stained. So then, we ride together at once. First, I must get the consent of the shan to lead the scout patrol. That will put us far in advance of our warriors. Then we will have nothing to fear. Meantime, go. Await me in the elephant paddocks. Arok, I shall be there. And now, Paul Darno. I go to explain your disappearance to the shan and council. Your blood-stained clothing will bear witness to the truth of the story. I shall tell. In the city of Thor, the glaring noonday sun reaps down upon a vast yellow-skinned throng packed solidly about an open space in the center of the great square before the palace. Under a canopy of skins, shading a raised platform that jots out from the wide palace staircase sits Artea, surrounded by the nobles and women of her court. On either side of her stand Juan Tai and Jeanette Burton. Extending across the square between the platform and the crowd is a long line of elephants mounted by the palace guard. In the middle of the line, Mungo himself sits proudly astride the neck of the huge, restless black malook. Presently a low murmur goes up from the throng. The crowd parts at the far end of the square, opposite the royal platform, and Tarzan, O'Rourke and Kylooc, surrounded by their guards, walk through the lane thus formed to the open space in its center. Like waves crashing on a nearby shore, the crowd murmur lifts to a deep crescendo as the three slaves are led to the tall stakes driven firmly into the ground. On the platform, Artea turns to Juan Tai. Juan Tai, the honor of once more questioning Tarzan of the Apes, and those other two shall be yours. This one is highly honored, Majesty, by your confidence. If one gives up the name of the leader of the revolt, none shall be whipped. If none speak or shall be lashed until they are... I count the hand heaven-born. Your instruction shall be followed to the letter. An inscrutable expression in his black eyes, Juan Tai quickly descends from the platform. He makes his way between the line of elephants and walks to the center of the cleared space. Every eye in that vast concourse is on him as he halts before the three slaves. A great honor of questioning you and your companion, Tarzan, has fallen to me. I assure you the duty is not of my own choosing. So ye say ye black-haired fiend, but ye'll hear nothing from the lips of Terence O'Rourke. Get on with your rat-killing. Perhaps, Kyloot? I have nothing to say. And you, Tarzan? Do O'Rourke and Kyloot go free? I have no authority to free them, my friend. Atea refuses to concede. In that case, I have nothing to say. What is there to prevent me from telling Atea that you have admitted being at the bottom of the conspiracy yourself? Nothing. Nothing? Accepting the fact that you have reasons for not speaking, or you would have told her the truth yourself. I know that you are the ringleader. I haven't said so. And you will not save yourself and your companions from cruel torture by admitting what I know to be the truth? There's nothing more to be said, Juan. Let's get on with it. As you wish. The Chinese nods gravely to the guards and steps back. Quickly, the three men are bound to the stake by their wrists. Look over there, O'Rourke. That big restless elephant with mungo on his back. I'm not interested in elephant snow, my lad. I'm wondering how long I can hold out against them whips. It's Black Maluk, our wild friend of the paddocks. The one that carried Darno and Uka to safety. Watch. At Tarzan's call, the huge brute stops it, nervous weaving. His immense ears stand out like great black wings. He lifts his trunk high and trumpets loudly. Suddenly, he lunges forward toward the ape man. Mungo trying to stop him digs deep with his gold. With an angry squeal, Black Maluk's lungs and U.S. trunk slips back to wrap itself about Mungo's leg. The yellow giant is jerked from his place astride the huge neck. With a mighty swing, the jungle titan crashes into the hard ground. The contagion of Black Maluk's rage is transmitted to the other elephants. Right and left into the throne, they toss their riders and follow in the wake of their huge leader. The close packed crowd milling and struggling desperately against itself to escape lords and a pandemonium of fear. Crashing their way through the panic-stricken mob, the angrily trumpeting elephants with the most black Maluk in the lead charge straight toward the ape man.