With a nod, the guide bade them be seated, and disappeared the way he had come. The stone swung back into place.
Before they had time for conjecture, Prince Huaca appeared from the antechamber.
“Ah, Senores,” said he, as they rose at this entrance, “I have sent for you. Be seated.”
He sat down by the table and was silent for a space, staring keenly from one to the other.
“Tonight,” said he suddenly, “affairs have come to a crisis in Cusco Hurrin. The Inca is old. The High Priest, Cinto, who has his ear, fears me. He has made capital of my appearance today with you before the Council. To the Inca who, like an old man, clings with love to life and finds it sweeter as it grows to an end, he has said that I am in league with devils and that you are evil spirits, and not men from the outside world, who spoke as you did in order to aid my plans to seize the supreme power and slay the Inca.
“Tomorrow I am to be asked again to bring you before the Council, and then we shall be seized and slain.
“But palaces have ears, and all that was said by this evil man, Cinto, has reached me. And I would forestall him.”
He paused. Mr. Hampton looked puzzled.
“But, Prince Huaca,” he objected, “must you not obey the Inca’s command and appear with us, or place yourself in rebellion?”
“It is so,” agreed the prince. “Nor do I wish to rebel. Yet if I am slain, my people will be destroyed, for there will be only foolish men to guide them.”