Mr. Hampton shook his head. “Palace politics are beyond me,” he said. “Evidently this Cinto is a thorough-going scoundrel. But, to return to the matter of whether we go before the Inca with our pistols concealed——”
He was interrupted by the appearance of a soldier at the door, evidently in great haste.
The latter saluted Michac, and the latter gave him permission to speak.
Then Michac turned to the others gravely, and interrupted.
“The Inca has sent a messenger, calling upon me to surrender you to him at once, as you are Incarial prisoners. What shall I do?”
CHAPTER XXII—INTO THE INCA’S COURT
“Do?” cried Jack. “I’m for complying.”
“Jack, you are talking wildly,” rebuked his father, sternly. “It is death.”