Had you aught to do with her death, Lord? Butwhile
we are here we must drink nothing but water.
This was now empty, although in it lights still
burned.
He says that you must come up and make your
offering to the god.
Be silent,for here the ears of the god are
everywhere.
I obeyed, thinking it safer, and another ten
minutes or so went by inan intolerable stillness. I suppose that these remarks, or
something in my eye, impressed him.
Perhaps that matterwill be settled at the Council
of the Priests to-morrow, Lord. In short, those who became alivein Heu-Heu, became
also dead to the world. Then he whispered:Be quick, Baas, it is burning my
fingers!
It shows how wicked we must be at bottom. But,
Lady, I went on, what is to happen to me and to my companionwho is named
Lord-of-the-Fire? He led us down a passage into a fine hall plentifullylit with
lamps for now the night had fallen. Also the Lady Dramana knows better than to tell
secrets and whathappens here to those who do.
I understand, the priest replied, highly gratified,
as his faceshewed.
I asked, seeing that she who waschosen last year
must be sacrificed this year? Yet strangely enough it was all wildly, deliriously
exciting andreally I seemed to enjoy it.
Meanwhile, she went on, for the present you are
safe. Does he seek such a fate as that which befell thehound without your doors? I
cut off thefinger of another who wished to shake hands with me when I had toldhim to
go away. What will Heu-Heu do with the matches, Baas? Had you aught to do with her
death, Lord?
Only to me thosecountenances had grown very cruel.