A gurgle from Rahee put him upon his guard, and again he evaded the clutch of the giant spider by a bare hand’s-breadth; but he had no opportunity to take the offensive. The brute was far too agile in his movements to give Silas the chance he needed, and a savage chuckle burst from the wolfish brute, who watched the scene from above, as he saw Rahee preparing for another leap.
But the chuckle died in his throat, and a hoarse scream of terror rang out over the temple as he felt himself seized from behind.
Struggling and clawing, he was swung from his feet, lifted high above the ledge, then hurled with the full force of Seymour’s arms into the den below.
He struck the floor with a crash, two feet in front of the crouching spider, and in an instant the brute was upon him.
With the screams of the dying savage ringing in his ears, Haverly mounted the wall again, and this time the baronet assisted him up the last few feet of the ascent until he stood on the floor of the passage.
Here, turning for an instant, Silas looked back into the den.
Gehari had paid a terrible penalty for his treachery!
“Come,” cried Seymour, and the Yankee, sickened by the sight of the ghastly tragedy, followed him.
“What brought you back here, anyway?” he inquired as they hurried on.
“I missed the savage,” Seymour explained, “and guessed he was up to some mischief or other. He’s paid a fearful price for his little trick.”