As the four stood mute, the door of the gathering room was heard to open; and there entered the ‘Silent Priest’ and several other priests. The latter at once resumed their neglected duties; but the silent one hastened toward the group by the portal.
Oltis and Urgis were again breathing. And, strangely, a great hope possessed Hellen as the ‘Silent Priest’ came opposite him. Eloquent was the mysterious priest’s glance from one to the other, so eloquent that Oltis, as if against his will, explained:
“This youth hath sinned. He pressed within the west passage in search of his sister, the handmaid Æole. Further, he hath scorned, mocked, Urgis and myself. For these, he will go to the ‘Deeps.’”
By a gesture, the ‘Silent Priest’ deprecated this going to the ‘Deeps.’ But Oltis, though with less of determination in voice and manner, iterated:
“He will go to the ‘Deeps.’”
Merely by the movement of his expressive hands, the silent one referred to the earthquake and the mysterious voice, and advised clemency as the youth had erred from love of his sister. All Hellen was as quick to comprehend as the priests, so ably did the gestures speak. But Oltis continued:
“He hath chided the gods. It is the crowning sin. Sensel, the guards!”
Sensel still hesitated. The ‘Silent Priest’ had glanced at him, his glance expressing negation. As he stood irresolute, unmindful of the indignation of Oltis. The ‘Silent Priest’ took from an inside pocket a small roll of papyrus, and signed to Sensel for reed and ink.
When these were brought, he wrote in large Atlantean characters swiftly:
“It is the Festival of Poseidon. On this day, mercy is ever shown all sinners. It is one of the oldest laws, the law of King Atlas.”