CHAPTER XXIV—THE MIRACLE WORKER
“We found Prince Huaca, the heir to the throne,” he said, “an enlightened and intelligent man, filled with enthusiasm for the betterment of his people and very desirous of learning of the many wonders and marvels in our country.
“But”—and pausing deliberately and significantly, Mr. Hampton stared directly at the High Priest Cinto—“but,” he added, “he told us evil counsellors surrounded the throne. He was captured and imprisoned. And now, O Inca, we ask that the evil men be punished and Prince Huaca be restored to the favor of your countenance.”
It was too much for the High Priest. His face became convulsed with rage. He made a step forward. But the Inca, whose eyes though old were shrewd, and who showed none of the senility of age, lifted his hand. The gesture was sufficient.
“O Ambassador of the Lord Beyond the Mountains,” said he, in a thin, clear voice, “you speak with a fearless tongue. But, tell me, by what right do you thus seek to interfere in the affairs of Cusco Hurrin? Why should I not command my soldiers to seize you at once?”
“O Inca,” answered Mr. Hampton, stoutly, betraying no sign of trepidation, “we have your safe conduct. Moreover, if any evil befall us, the Lord Beyond the Mountains will know of it instantly and will send his lightnings through the air for our protection.”
“What mean you?” asked the Inca, staring at him keenly. “This talk of knowing instantly is folly. Is not Cusco Hurrin a sealed city whence no messengers may depart? And are we not separated from this Lord of whom you speak by many leagues of wild land? And what means this talk of lightnings? Is the Inca of Cusco Hurrin a child to be frightened by foolish tales?”
“Nay, Sire,” said Mr. Hampton, imperturbably, bowing, “this is no foolish talk. Great is the power of the Lord Beyond the Mountains, and such power also dwells in us his ambassadors.”
“This talk of power does not please me,” said the Inca, harshly. “Again I ask, what mean you?”
“Would you have evidence of our power, O Inca,” said Mr. Hampton, “then behold. For I have brought with me certain marvels with which to convince you. Shall I proceed, or is the Court of the Inca of Cusco Hurrin timid as a child and unwilling to look upon these marvels?”
“Nay, nay, stranger, we are not fearful. For our power, too, is great,” said the Inca. “Behold, here is my High Priest, who communes with our Lord, the Sun, and knows many secrets.”
On being thus indicated, Cinto assumed an expression of satisfaction.
“Ah,” said Mr. Hampton, composedly. “But can he order a man to pluck out his eye, to take his teeth from his mouth, or to remove the hair from his head, and be obeyed without injuring that man? Can he do this, and then restore that man to his original appearance?”
There was a renewed stir of interest among the members of the Council, a renewed rustling in the audience. Cinto looked supercilious and haughty, but Mr. Hampton thought he detected a gleam of worry. As for the Inca, he leaned forward a bit and stared more sharply than before.
“Nay,” said he, “and be cautious, O Ambassador, lest your tongue lead you into idle boasting. For these matters of which you speak are for the God Himself alone to perform.”
“O Inca, I do not boast,” said Mr. Hampton. “If you would behold, then observe closely.”
It was their cue. Pedro and Carlos advanced to take station beside Don Ernesto. Mr. Hampton faced them, arms extended.
“Behold, O Inca,” said he. “I speak, too, in the tongue of the Lord Beyond the Mountains—a tongue of power.”
And rapidly he began, in English:
“Hocus pocus, abracadabra, Pedro, give me your eye.”
Pedro passed his hand over his glass eye, plucked it out, and then, good actor that he was, and thoroughly enjoying the situation, he turned so that the sightless cavity stared at the Inca and held up the eye between thumb and forefinger.
A gasp of amazement and horror came from the audience. The boys who were watching the proceedings with keenest enjoyment had difficulty in restraining their laughter.
“Look at the High Priest. He’s going to faint.”
“Yes, and the Inca is paralyzed.”
Not pausing, Mr. Hampton next cried his incantations over Carlos, and the latter opened his mouth wide and brought forth his false teeth. He held them up, so that all could see. And, indeed, they were a gruesome sight, with the red rubber palate resembling the roof of the mouth. He, too, profiting from Pedro’s example, stared toward the throne, lips wide apart, toothless gums displayed.
If before had been horror and amazement, now was stupefaction. Whimpers of panic ran around the audience. The soldiers before the throne trembled, so that their erect spears waved like saplings in a strong wind. The Inca, the High Priest, the members of the Council, all were endeavoring to restrain their fright, but they were palsied with terror.
“Good night,” murmured Jack, suffocatingly. “He’s got them. Oh, I’m going to blow up if I can’t laugh soon.”
Mr. Hampton also realized he had his audience in his grip, and he proceeded to strike while the iron was hot.
Extending a knife to Don Ernesto, he gestured with his hand to indicate the latter was to scalp himself. Don Ernesto complied. And a thorough job he did of it. Then he lifted off his toupee and held it, poised above his head. The lights from the pillar behind him gleamed on his shining bald head.
It was too much for Inca nerves. The courtiers in the audience cried out whimperingly like frightened children and there was a great scurrying to get behind pillars. The soldiers before the throne, as if with one accord, threw themselves prone before this worker of wonders. There was a rush of feet away from their party in the rear, and the boys, turning, saw some of the soldiers of the rear guard, forgetful of discipline, forgetful of everything, stricken by blind fear, dashing madly for the doorway.
“You’ve got them, Dad,” cried Jack. “Look at the Inca. Look at the High Priest.”
The High Priest had fallen back a step or two, and assumed a crouching position. His attitude betokened not only fear, but desperation and hatred. Plain as if he had spoken the words, could be read in his expression the fear that here was a greater magician than he, the ruin of his hopes. As for the Inca, he had attempted to rise from his throne, but had fallen back and now cowered in the great chair, his hands over his eyes.
Mr. Hampton’s voice rang out.
“Behold, O Inca,” he cried, “your people flee before these wonders. But there are greater wonders to come. Bid them stay.”
His voice had the effect of arresting the panic. The Inca withdrew his hands, and by a tremendous effort pulled himself together. In a shaky voice, he said:
“Continue.”
“You will observe,” said Mr. Hampton, “that though one of these men has plucked out his eye, another his teeth, and a third has removed his hair, yet none have suffered pain nor bled. This itself is a great marvel, and by order of the beneficent Lord Beyond the Mountains, who protects his children from all harm. Now I shall restore them to their original appearance.”
He clapped his hands three times, and at this, the previously agreed-upon signal, Pedro replaced his eye, Carlos his teeth, and Don Ernesto his toupee.
An audible shudder ran through the audience, most of whom, fascinated by the promise of more wonders, had halted in their flight and returned. The soldiers of the rear guard also had slunk back into place.
“Captain Guascar is going to overlook their having started to flee,” whispered Bob to Frank. “He’s not paying any attention to them.”
“No wonder,” whispered Frank, in reply. “He almost died of fright himself, and he’s not over it yet, either.”
In truth, the doughty captain had a staring, hysterical look in his eyes, as if he had seen some frightful apparition, and his limbs still trembled.
“These, O Inca,” said Mr. Hampton, “are simple matters. It surprises me that your people should be surprised, for in my country any child can perform them. Indeed, any of my young men”—waving toward the boys—“can perform them as easily as I. Aye, if you so desire, I shall ask one of them to do so. And, if it be your wish”—he added, daringly—“I shall ask one of my young men to demonstrate upon one of your subjects. Shall we tell this lad”—laying his hand on Jack’s shoulder—“to pluck forth the High Priest’s eye?”
“Hey, Dad, you’re taking a long chance,” whispered Jack, anxiously.
He need not have worried.
With a howl, Cinto leaped to the Inca’s side, hands outspread.
“O August One,” he cried, “Representative of the Sun God, protect me from these evil spirits who be not men but demons.”
“Nay,” said Mr. Hampton, “if the High Priest fears——” And he pushed Jack back into column. He had produced the effect he desired. He had unmasked the High Priest’s fear, and publicly humiliated him. It would be better not to press the matter. They were skating on thin ice. What if the Inca should point to some man in disfavor and ask that they blind him, render him toothless or scalp him?
He hurried on to another matter. Holding up his hand, index finger extended, he said:
“O Inca, a greater marvel have I. Above me I can hear the voice of the Lord Beyond the Mountains. He wishes to speak to you. This great Lord speaks every tongue known to man; aye, even the Inca speech he knows, even though for hundreds of years none have spoken it in the world Beyond the Mountains. And this voice which I now hear, but which is inaudible to you within this hall, commands that I invite you to appear upon the terrace before your palace, where——”
Mr. Hampton paused. He had been wracking his brain for a good reason to assign for urging the Inca to appear on the terrace in order to hear the radio. Now, as by inspiration, it came to him. “——Where,” he added, “you will be under the protection of the Sun God and need fear no dark magic. This Lord Beyond the Mountains would speak to you now, within this hall, except that he desires you to feel secure.
“He will speak to you in your own tongue,” he added. “And this,” he added, pointing to the radio outfit, “is the medium of his voice.”
He turned to his own party.
“Come on, quick. Take up the outfit and let us march out. If we waver, there may be trouble. If we put on a bold front, I think the Inca will follow.”