As Hellen sailed, torture the more possessed him. Three times was he on the point of bidding the rowers return. When over half way, his anguish conquered; and he gave the order, the men obeying, dissatisfied, as they were hoping to join some cronies at the port.
Tardily the glum rowers retraced the way. Meanwhile, Hellen’s fears so lightened that they almost ceased to exist as the palace came into view; and, as he ascended the steps of the landing place, he laughed at himself, so much did the vicinage of Æole encourage him.
He hastened to the courtyard, and was about to enter when obliged to give way to a closed chariot that was being driven therefrom.
But, following this chariot, rode some guards of the temple. As they dashed past, Hellen became rigid for the moment. Now were his fears confirmed. That chariot contained Æole. She was being borne to the temple—was lost unless he could tear her from her captors.
His inanity vanished. Madly he flew through the palace grounds; and eschewing the grand roadway, made a short cut up to the gateway of the outer court of the great temple.
Here he paused to gather breath and strength, until he heard the chariot approaching. Then he stepped just within the gateway, and waited, indifferent to the curious looks of the few loitering guards.
The chariot came through the gateway slowly. When abreast of him, he sprang on its step, thrust aside the curtains, and beheld his sister unconscious. In a second he was beside her, and drawing her into his arms. Then in defiance, he eyed the clustering guards, who were seizing him as they bade him come out. And, with a madman’s strength, shook them off, to hold his sister the firmer.
The guards, exclaiming in fierce tones, began to pull him as if to pieces. Still he held on, the while looking for some weapon with which to end their sufferings. Death must come to them. It was their only saviour.
Suddenly, a priest appeared beside the contestants. It was Partlan, a creature of Oltis. As he looked within the chariot, and perceived Hellen struggling, this priest grinned much as a hyena does when assured of its prey; and then felt for something within his vestment.
With a sign to the guards to relinquish their hold, he drew forth a tube much like a siphon. As the luckless Hellen was wondering that he should thus have been let alone, Partlan began to play upon him a spray that caused him to sink back benumbed, though still maintaining hold of his sister.