"Come," he ordered and took us to the head of the pathway.
"Now," he said grimly, "let the Silent Ones show their power—if they still have it!"
And with this strange benediction, he turned back.
"For God's sake, Larry," I urged as we approached the house of the priestess, "you'll be careful!"
He nodded—but I saw with a little deadly pang of apprehension in my heart a puzzled, lurking doubt within his eyes.
As we ascended the serpent steps Marakinoff appeared. He gave a signal to our guards—and I wondered what influence the Russian had attained, for promptly, without question, they drew aside. At me he smiled amiably.
"Have you found your friends yet?" he went on—and now I sensed something deeply sinister in him. "No! It is too bad! Well, don't give up hope." He turned to O'Keefe.
"Lieutenant, I would like to speak to you—alone!"
"I've no secrets from Goodwin," answered O'Keefe.
"So?" queried Marakinoff, suavely. He bent, whispered to Larry.