![]() ![]() The echoes of the bell were still floating from wall to wall as we went rapidly forward. "It came from the left," said Harry but I disagreed with him and was so sure of myself that we started off to the right. Her white body, uncovered, was outlined sharply against the black background of the cavern above. Finally they, too, ceased to appear the corridor was deserted. Their number swelled to a continuous stream, which in turn gradually became thinner and thinner until only a few stragglers were seen trotting behind. There we stood, motionless and scarcely breathing, while group after group of the savages passed in the corridor ahead. But all the Incas appeared to have assembled within, for the corridor remained deserted. Yet we avoided foolhardiness, for as we approached the last turn we proceeded slowly, keeping an eye on the rear. She was standing on the top of the lofty column in the center of the lake. But so fast did we go that it seemed to me we had left the great cavern scarcely a minute behind us when I suddenly saw the steps of a steep stairway leading down from an opening on our right. I do not know what led us whether a remorseful Providence, who suddenly decided that we had been played with long enough, or the mere animal instinct of direction, or blind luck. Harry opened his lips to speak, but I took the words from his mouth seconds were precious. Back down the passage we ran, halting at its end. "Follow me," I whispered and he must have read the force of my knowledge in my eyes, for he obeyed without a word. Follow me keep your spear ready not a sound, if you love her." "They have fired the column-you remember. It was necessary to half encircle the cavern, and the passages were so often crossed by other passages that many times we had to guess at the proper road. As I have said, we had entered the great cavern at a point almost directly opposite the alcove, and therefore at a distance from the entrance we sought.
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