But what impressed her most was the object toward which Charn was pointing. He was indicating the huge mummy case, with the silver bands.
“The home of Kali,” said the strange voice. “The temple within the temple. The tomb that has never been opened. It awaits a soul.”
The eyes of the strange monster stared at the girl. She followed his gaze in a new direction and a light seemed to go with it. The soft illumination showed the bound form of a man, lying upon the floor.
“The victim of the sacrifice,” said the creature on the throne. “The victim of the sacrifice to Kali. He shall die — by the hands of Charn, with the threadlike noose—”
The arms unfolded and Charn held a thin red cord between them.
“But before he dies” — and the voice was Zayata’s now — “we shall have a living Kali. A soul for the tomb — to remain there, always!”
The arms were folded. Two vague forms arose from the background. They approached the girl and urged her toward the silver-bound case. Margaret was unable to resist. She was going to her doom — helpless.
Chandra was unclasping the bands. The Burmese was performing the duty as though it were a sacred office. With the grotesque monster silently surveying the scene, Chandra prepared to open the mummy case. The bands were loose. He but awaited the final word.
“The home of Kali,” came the measured, solemn words of doom. “It shall be your home. Now and forever. Once it opens, it shall close, with a living being in its fold. Then we shall have the sacrifice — while the occupant of the tomb still lives.”
There was a pause; then came the order.