CHAPTER XX.
“GOOD-BYE!”
Regan returned to the palace as the darkness was deepening. The lamps in the great hall were unlit. Probably the bird women were asleep, but he knew it was not that. Into the silent rooms he hastened.
Not there! No fire! No light! He ran to Father Renaudin’s apartments. There lay Father Renaudin asleep!
“Awake! awake!”
With a groan of agony Regan called to him. With a curse of rage he shook him, shrieking at the senseless form:
“Awake! awake! you sleeping traitor, and tell me where is the wife whom I left with you!”
As well trouble the dead!
Gone, gone, gone!
Regan rushed through the corridor with a flaming torch, heedlessly stumbling on the sleepers lying wherever they had fallen, heedless of the fact that the cold was chilling the fireless palace.
“Rondah, come back! Rondah, come back!”