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e wall and kicked over the ladders as fast as the soldiers of Twi set them up； and the gray…bearded Ki stood in the garden holding two big flat boards with which to whack the heads of any who might come through the tunnels。
But Prince Marvel realized that the perseverance of his foes might win in the end； unless he took measures to defeat them effectually。 So he summoned swift messengers from among the Sound Elves； who are accustomed to travel quickly； and they carried messages from him to Wul…Takim； the King of the Reformed Thieves； and to King Terribus of Spor； who had both promised him their assistance in case he needed it。 The prince did not tell his friends of this action； but after the messengers had been dispatched he felt easier in his mind。
The little High Ki remained as sweet and brave and lovable as ever； striving constantly to cheer and encourage her little band of defenders。 But none of them was very much worried； and Nerle confided to the maiden in yellow the fact that he expected to suffer quite agreeably when the Ki…Ki at last got him in their clutches。
Finally a day came when two big holes were battered through the wall； and then the twin soldiers of Twi poured through the holes and began to pound on the doors of the palace itself； in which Prince Marvel and Nerle； the Ki and the yellow High Ki had locked themselves as securely as possible。
The prince now decided it was high time for his friends to come to their rescue； but they did not appear； and before long the doors of the palace gave way and the soldiers rushed upon them in a vast throng。
Nerle wanted to fight； and to slay as many of the Twi people as possible； but the prince would not let him。
〃These poor soldiers are but doing what they consider their duty；〃 he said； 〃and it would be cruel to cut them down with our swords。 Have patience； I pray you。 Our triumph will come in good time。〃
The Ki…Ki； who came into the palace accompanied by the green High Ki； ordered the twin soldiers to bind all the prisoners with cords。 So one pair of soldiers bound the Ki and another pair Nerle and the prince； using exactly the same motions in the operation。 But when it came to binding the yellow High Ki the scene was very funny。 For twin soldiers tried to do the binding； and there was only one to bind； so that one soldier went through the same motions as his twin on empty air； and when his other half had firmly bound the girl； his own rope fell harmless to the ground。 But it seemed impossible for one of the twins to do anything different from the other； so that was the only way the act could be accomplished。
Then the green…robed High Ki walked up to the one in yellow and laughed in her face； saying：
〃You now see which of us is the most powerful； and therefore the most worthy to rule。 Had you remained faithful to our handsome Ki…Ki； as I did； you would not now be defeated and disgraced。〃
〃There is no disgrace in losing one battle；〃 returned the other girl； proudly。 〃You are mistaken if you think you have conquered me； and you are wrong to insult one who is； for the time being； your captive。〃
The maiden in green looked for an instant confused and ashamed； then she tossed her pretty head and walked away。
They led all the prisoners out into the garden and then through the broken wall； and up and down the silver steps； into the great square of the cities of Twi。 And here all the population crowded around them； for this was the first time any of them had seen their High Ki； or even known that they were girls； and the news of their quarrel and separation had aroused a great deal of excitement。
〃Let the executioners come forward！〃 cried the Ki…Ki； gleefully； and in answer to the command the twin executioners stepped up to the prisoners。
They were big men； these executioners； each having a squint in one eye and a scar on the left cheek。 They polished their axes a moment on their coat…sleeves； and then said to Prince Marvel and Nerle； who were to be the first victims：
〃Don't dodge； please； or our axes may not strike the right place。 And do not be afraid； for the blows will only hurt you an instant。 In the Land of Twi it is usually considered a pleasure to be executed by us； we are so exceedingly skillful。〃
〃I can well believe that；〃 replied Nerle； although his teeth were chattering。
But at this instant a loud shout was heard； and the twin people of Twi all turned their heads to find themselves surrounded by throngs of fierce enemies。
Prince Marvel smiled； for he saw among the new…comers the giants and dwarfs and the stern Gray Men of King Terribus； with their monarch calmly directing their movements； and on the other side of the circle were the jolly faces and bushy whiskers of the fifty…nine reformed thieves； with burly Wul…Takim at their head。
19。 The Reunion of the High Ki
The twins of Twi were too startled and amazed to offer to fight with the odd people surrounding them。 Even the executioners allowed their axes to fall harmlessly to the ground； and the double people； soldiers and citizens alike； turned to stare at the strangers in wonder。
〃We're here； Prince！〃 yelled Wul…Takim； his bristly beard showing over the heads of those who stood between。
〃Thank you；〃 answered Prince Marvel。
〃And the men of Spor are here！〃 added King Terribus； who was mounted on a fine milk…white charger； richly caparisoned。
〃I thank the men of Spor；〃 returned Prince Marvel； graciously。
〃Shall we cut your foes into small pieces； or would you prefer to hang them？〃 questioned the King of the Reformed Thieves； loudly enough to set most of his hearers shivering。
But now the little maid in yellow stepped up to Prince Marvel and； regarding the youthful knight with considerable awe； said sweetly：
〃I beg you will pardon my people and spare them。 They are usually good and loyal subjects； and if they fought against metheir lawful High Kiit was only because they were misled by my separation from my other half。〃
〃That is true；〃 replied the prince； 〃and as you are still the lawful High Ki of Twi； I will leave you to deal with your own people as you see fit。 For those who have conquered your people are but your own allies； and are still under your orders； as I am myself。〃
Hearing this； the green High Ki walked up to her twin High Ki and said； boldly：
〃I am your prisoner。 It is now your turn。 Do with me as you will。〃
〃I forgive you；〃 replied her sister； in kindly tones。
Then the little maid who had met with defeat gave a sob and turned away weeping； for she had expected anything but forgiveness。
And now the Ki…Ki came forward and； bowing their handsome blond heads before the High Ki； demanded： 〃Are we forgiven also？〃
〃Yes；〃 said the girl； 〃but you are no longer fit to be rulers of my people。 Therefore； you are henceforth deprived of your honorable offices of Ki…Ki； which I shall now bestow upon these good captains here；〃 and she indicated the good…natured officers who had first captured the prince and Nerle。
The people of Twi eagerly applauded this act； for the captains were more popular with them than the former Ki…Ki； but the blond ones both flushed with humiliation and anger； and said：