"Lord, she has returned and performs wonderful magic," said the man, "for by the wonder of her eyes she can make dead men live and live men die, and all people are afraid. Also, lord, there was a wise man in the forest, who was blind, and he had a daughter who was the prop and staff of him, and because of his wisdom, and because she hated all who rivalled her, the woman D'rona Gufuri told certain men to seize the girl and hold her in a deep pool of water until she was dead."
"This is a bad palaver," said Sanders; "but you shall tell me what you mean by the wonder of her eyes."
"Lord," said the man, "she looks upon men, and they do her will. Now, it is her will that there shall be a great dance on the Rind of the Moon, and after she shall send the spears of the people of Busesi—who is old and silly, and for this reason is called good—against the N'gombi folk."
"Oh," said Sanders, biting his lip in thought, "by the wonder of her eyes!"
"Lord," said the man, "even I have seen this, for she has stricken men to the ground by looking at them, and some she has made mad, and others foolish."
Sanders turned his head at a noise from the doorway. The tall figure of Hamilton stood peering sleepily at the light.
"I heard your voice," he said apologetically. "What is the trouble?"
Briefly Sanders related the story the man had told.
"Wow!" said Hamilton, in a paroxysm of delight.
"What's wrong?"