Part 56 (1/2)

”Is the passage straight?” I asked, struck with a sudden idea ”Could you see far within?”

”A hundred feet or so,” was the answer ”Why? Shall we follow it?

Can you walk?”

”I think so,” I answered ”At any rate, I ame But that isn't why I asked Perhaps it explains the sudden disappearance of the Incas They knew they couldn't follow us through that narrow crevice; what if they have ru to borrowout froive theh I was able to stand it was only by a tremendous effort and exertion of the will

”Not yet,” I ain Desiree sat on the hard rock and supported my head and shoulders in her arms, despiteon his spear

Soon he left us again, departing in the direction of the crevice by which we had entered; I detected his uneasiness in the tone hich he directed us to keep a lookout around in every direction

”We could ested; but he shook his head, saying that where e at least had rooone Desiree and I sat silent forthat she one, but she denied it vehemently, and refused to allow h I but half understood her, I made no answer

I myself was convinced that ere at last near the end It was certain that the Incas had merely delayed, not abandoned, the pursuit, and our powers and

Our curious apathy and half indifference spoke for itself; it was as though we had at length recognized the hand of fate and seen the futility of further struggle For, weak and injured as I was, I still had strength in me; it was a listlessness of the brain and hopelessness of the heart that ht cos toward Desiree were even then elusive; they are more so now I had told her I loved her; well, I had told many women that But Desiree had moved me; with her it was not the same--that I felt I had never so admired a woman, and the thrill of that kiss is in me yet; I can recall it and tre htly in my own, seemed to send an electric co and stilled my pain That, I know, is not love; and perhaps I was ined that it was there

”Are you asleep?” she asked presently, after I had lain perfectly quiet for many minutes Her voice was so low that it entered my ear as the faintest breath

”Hardly,” I answered ”To tell the truth, I expect never to sleep again--I suppose you understand me I can't say why--I feel it”

Desiree nodded

”Do you re on the mountain?”

Then--I suppose ht--she added quickly: ”Oh, I didn't rave, do you remember? You see, I knew”

I started to reply, but was interrupted by Harry, calling to ask where ere I answered, and soon he had joined us and seated hi,” was all he said, wearily, and he lay back and closed his eyes, resting his head on his hands

The minutes passed slowly Desiree and I talked in low tones; HarryFinally, despite Desiree's energetic protests, I rose to my knees and insisted that she rest herself We see; our ave the thing an appearance of unreality--I know not what; it coht dully into the semidarkness of the cavern, I saw that which drove the apathy fro my senses I strained my eyes ahead; there could be no doubt of it; that black, slowlytoward us silently, on their knees, through the darkness Glancing to either side I saw that the line extended coht seemed to paralyze er lips I tried to put out my hand to rouse him and to pick up my spear; my arms remained motionless at my side

Desiree lay close beside me; I could not even turn h fascinated, on that silent black line approaching through the darkness

”Will they leap no?” I asked myself with every beat of er--they were now so close that each black, tense form was in clear outline not fifty feet away

Chapter XXIII

WE ARE TWO

Whether I would have been able to rouse myself to action before the shock of the assault was actually upon us, I shall never know