"There is no doubt about it. The speakers used so much care that I could not catch their words, but the voices themselves, though faint, could not be mistaken."
"Could they not have been the Ghoojurs outside?"
"No, I thought of that; I was standing right here with no dream of such a thing when—there they are again!"
Avery stepped forward and pressed his ear against the wall beyond which it was evident the strangers must be. The next minute he whispered:
"You are right, Harkins; there are other persons in this temple."
CHAPTER XXIV.
WANA AFFGHAR OF PUNEPUT.
Each now touched his ear to the wall, which was a better conductor of sound than the air. As a result, both heard persons talking. They did not speak continuously, and modulated their words so that it was impossible to catch their meaning.
It was quite clear, however, that the strangers on the other side were aware that some kind of danger threatened them, for they used the utmost care. It looked as though they had entered an unsuspected apartment adjoining the one in which the three fugitives took refuge when fleeing from the Ghoojurs, and they were at that moment discussing their situation.
"Now, who can they be?" asked Harkins; "I am inclined to suspect they are Ghoojurs, who have found some secret way into this temple."