"I hardly think he expects to leave, but to gain a better knowledge of our surroundings."
"Were only himself concerned he would have little trouble in hoodwinking the ruffians; but he cannot do so to the extent of delivering us."
"If we fail to get away to-night, what hope is there for us?"
The question was asked by Marian, and her betrothed pressed her hand as he made answer:
"That might have been asked a dozen times within the past few days, and the reply would have been the same as now."
"Avery speaks the truth," said the missionary impressively; "everything looks dark, but Heaven's mercy cannot be gauged by us; we can only trust the Hand that has sustained us so long."
"God's mercies shall endure forever," added the wife, in a voice which fell like a benison upon the hearers.
Unto all there seemed to come a sweet assurance that the wrath of the heathen should be turned to naught, broken suddenly by a slight noise from the entrance to the temple.
Slight as it was, all heard it, though no one could tell its nature. They listened, but it was not repeated and the stillness continued.
"I will find out what it means," said Avery, rising from his seat on the idol and moving out toward the moonlit passage way.