"Look like pantomime ogres," thought the irreverent Jack, contemplating these horrors. "I say, Cocom," he said in Spanish, "what are these heads meant to represent?"
"They are god stars throwing their light over the earth, Señor. The projecting tongues represent them doing so."
"Bueno! I never should have thought putting out one's tongue meant such a lot. Come, Cocom, let us ascend the steps."
"One moment, Don Juan!" said Cocom, in a low voice, as Jack put his foot on the lower step, "I have a reason for taking you up here."
"To see the opal?"
"Yes; and to see something else. Connected with your escape, Señor. We can talk freely in the teocalli; for now it is noon, and no priest is in the temple."
"Good! We will have it all to ourselves. But I wonder at them leaving the opal unguarded."
"Santissima! It is quite safe, Don Juan! No one would steal the opal. Even if anyone did he could not get out of the town, and if he did get out of the town he would be killed before he reached the coast."
"I see! Superstition is a greater safeguard than bolts or bars."
"Promise me, Señor, you will not cry out at that which I am going to show you," said the Indian, disregarding Jack's remark.