We stood still awhile, staring at each other, and
my heart was fullof doubt and fear.
Now perchance I shall find you here to-night, here
bythis shrine? But I fear that the doctors death may have been myfault. The holy Roy
is very foreseeing, said Tau with a smile, or I am;it matters not which. And what
makes it even more fantastic is that you suggestedthat he might meet with an
accident. Doubtless they are the halves of the sametalisman.
Anûbis fell on him as he leaned over the
endcabinet.
Vance drew up at the foot of the stairs and put his
hand to hisforehead. But tell me, if so, where would that journeyend?
Now of the birth of Nefra the Princess there were
strange stories.
Yet there mightbe another half that fitted on to
this broken charm that has been lentto me.
Vance seemed disinclined todiscuss the
matter.
Once we were in this mans power, what might
notbefall us?
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Certainly not here in the South where, being
fearful orsuborned, all would betray us.
I know it, Kemmah beloved, answered Rima. Really, y
know, Markham, yourefrightfully selfish. But at noon, that iswithin an hour, I will
return to you for your answer. Youask me to fly to Memphis, that is, to walk into
the jaws of the hyena.
And what makes it even more fantastic is that you
suggestedthat he might meet with an accident. Nay, do not weep over a phantasyborn
of pain and darkness. It was all so obvious, dont y know, Vance said mildly. Is
yonder man perchance the holy Roy, Lady Kemmah? Strangely enoughit chances that only
this day I have received a message from the holyRoy.
Here we were, confronted by an
insolubleproblem.
Yes, Lord, answered Rima, heavily, it prophesies
good to the child,but, as I fear, ill to others. This: Presently I sail on to the
city and there deliver a certaincargo to merchants who await it.
Yes, I answered, I think that you will find us.
Acrossthe back of his crushed skull stretched the life-sized statue ofAnûbis. One
crop must fall before another can besown and in every crop there are weeds as well
as wheat. Then he went to where I first met him and from behind a stone drew
abundle.
He went to the folding door and threw it open.