"To-morrow night, in the secret way. Adios!"
She ran rapidly towards the shrine, and vanished behind the image of the war-god, while Jack followed Cocom out on to the vast platform of the pyramid. Midway on the steps they saw the old high priest, painfully climbing upward.
"Will he not find Doña Dolores in there, Cocom, and thus guess we have met?"
"No, Señor. He but comes to see that the sacred fire burns. That the opal yet spins before the god. If the fire should go out, or the opal stand still, great calamities would befall the city. Only does the opal pause when it prophesies."
"How is it managed?"
"Santissima! Señor, I know not. But come, let us go down. Ixtlilxochitli will just look at the fire, and then descend, after which the Doña Dolores can come down and regain her palace without being seen."
"Is the shrine thus frequently left alone?"
"Yes, Señor. Save at festivals, it is deserted. But a priest climbs to the temple every five hours, to see that the sacred fire burns. But see, Ixtlilxochitli is near us. Be cautious, my lord."
When Jack paused on his downward way, the priest coming up at once knelt on the steps to show his reverence.
"Tell the old fool to get up," said Jack, angrily, being weary of such mummery.