The girl’s face turned a sickly greenish-white.
“Hide it, hide it,” she whispered. “You must put it back. If they see it they will kill us all. You for taking it, and me for knowing that there was such a thing. Oh, woe—woe! why did you ever come here?”
“Don’t be frightened,” said Cyril. “They shan’t know. Jane, don’t you be such a little jack-ape again—that’s all. You see what will happen if you do. Now, tell me—” He turned to the girl, but before he had time to speak the question there was a loud shout, and a man bounded in through the opening in the thorn-hedge.
“Many foes are upon us!” he cried. “Make ready the defences!”
His breath only served for that, and he lay panting on the ground.
“Oh, do let’s go home!” said Jane. “Look here—I don’t care—I will!”
She held up the charm. Fortunately all the strange, fair people were too busy to notice her. She held up the charm. And nothing happened.
“You haven’t said the word of power,” said Anthea.
Jane hastily said it—and still nothing happened.
“Hold it up towards the East, you silly!” said Robert.