Near the top of this slab of rock,or water door,
was drilled a hole.
I looked at my watch anddiscovered to my surprise
that it was past ten oclock at night.
A great deal may happen in three days, I said, and
dropped thesubject.
Then find out, for I want to learn if your
conclusions agree with myown, I answered. Is it a timeto laugh when all our plans
have come to nothing?
Another possible explanation,by the way, is that
both may have been exported to the mainland.
That hole is too dark to see into, he said,
presently, and swarmeddown the shaft again.
I inquired carelessly, for at the moment I was
thinking aboutthe dead woman. Here it is, and from his pocket heproduced that
ponderous and archaic lock-opening instrument.
I know it all, Lord, for I have been that bride.
Only I thought the Baas asked me howwe could loose that stone arm. I inquired
carelessly, for at the moment I was thinking aboutthe dead woman.
I ate as much as I was able, because food gives
strength, and Hans didthe same.
As I said, the Baas has grown quite clever all of
asudden.
The odd thing was that there seemed to be no
children and no oldpeople. Here it is, and from his pocket heproduced that ponderous
and archaic lock-opening instrument.
What happened to him there I do not know; so far as
we wereconcerned he vanished for ever.
I repeated to myself with inward sarcasm as Ilay
down and shut my eyes.
My father, I presume, Hans, I replied
airily.
We reached the sluice house, and to our surprise
found that the doorwas unlocked. We reached the sluice house, and to our surprise
found that the doorwas unlocked.
But that would not save the Lady Sabeela,
Hans.
He who is called the Watcher of the Gatehas one of
his own. Fromthat moment I became as ruthless as Hans himself. So, indeed, I had
observed when I sat among them at theFeast of Illusions in the cave.
I think he drew his knife, but I am not
sure.
Or it may have been because of thegreat flood which
is rising fast. Then I asked her to tell me exactly what was going tohappen as to
the delivery of the Holy Bride. Have no fear of that, I answered airily, though in
truth I felt muchdepressed. Yes, Lord, a Feast of Blood, and I pray that it may not
be of yourblood also. Now, my friends, as you may guess, this was a blow indeed. As
it happened there was a good deal to examine. No, they acted on a simpler and more
ancientplan. That hole is too dark to see into, he said, presently, and swarmeddown
the shaft again. While I did so I heard Hans chuckling idiotically. Only the
business will take a lot of thinking out andarrangement.
It is fortunate that you have such a strong door to
keep out thewater, I said.
Dacha is clever; he has bethoughthim that you might
depart in a canoe. Do you think that she will be brought at all, Dramana?