"I've not written it," said Rowland contemptuously.
"The Priest of Nemi--you have broken the Golden Bough," put in the shock-headed man.
"Oh, I see. I broke your silly tree. I'm sorry."
"Sorry!" whispered Issad, pointing to the dead man. "It is he who should be sorry."
"I've no doubt he is," muttered Rowland, "but he brought this on himself."
"That is true," said the third man eagerly, the one Tanya had called Picard. "We are all witnesses to it."
Rowland frowned at the man.
"Then will you tell me what the devil you meant by shooting a pistol at me?" cried Rowland angrily.
Picard hung his head.
"It was he who was the Priest of Nemi--while he lived, our oath, our allegiance----"