“Fool!” he cried, keeping his voice low so that it would not echo in the empty street. “If you are found here in the sacred city, it may mean your death! Where are your friends?”
Jack indicated the stone house where the others waited.
“Why did you risk coming here?” Ino demanded. “You were free to go.”
“Our leader is too sick to travel. Besides—”
“Besides, you were impelled by the lust for gold!” Ino accused. “You are friends of Captain Carter!”
“No! Absolutely not. And we didn’t come here looking for gold either. We came—”
Ino did not permit him to finish. “You cannot stay here,” he insisted. “You do not realize your danger. You must leave now—at once—while there still is time.”
“I tell you we can’t go with Mr. Livingston so weak and sick,” Jack returned in exasperation. “Why don’t you take off that silly animal mask and reveal yourself. Are you a trader?”
“You ask too many questions,” Ino answered. “Take me to your friends and we’ll see what can be done. You must be away from here before dawn.”
“Anxious to get rid of us, aren’t you?”