Then Partlan gave the word, and the chariot went on through the court to a side portico of the temple extension. Here Æole was taken from Hellen’s arms, and given over to several handmaids. And Hellen, who had partially retained consciousness, swooned.
When Hellen revived, he found himself lying upon a couch in a room through whose one aperture the sunset light was streaming. He raised to look about him; and, at once, his eyes fastened upon a high grating at the farthest end. Upon hearing a clicking behind him, he turned, but saw nothing. Again he looked toward the grating, to become horrified at perceiving behind it a tall, imposing, red-garbed, masked figure. Stonily, Hellen returned the gaze of this worse than specter, his dread augmenting because of the dizziness overcoming him. It was something of relief when the figure, in lowest tone, spoke.
“Youth, thou art to bend, to obey. Wouldst thou bring evil upon thy sister and thyself? Is it thy will to see thy sister upon the altar? The high priest hath said she will be gift, or handmaid.”
“Better the gift upon the altar,” spoke Hellen as he strove to overcome his weakness, and arise.
“Shouldst thou no longer chafe, thy sister will but be a handmaid. This I promise thee.”
“Who art thou that art so able to promise?”
“Thou hast heard of the ‘Silent Priest’?”
“I have, and I have seen him.”
“I speak for him.”
“Then he hath brought this upon us. And thou art his base helper, his tool!”