At last The Man came to a part of the way more difficult than any before; and he lay down for a few minutes to rest. After a time he tried to go on, but could not. He was too weak, and his two companions seemed to be conspiring to hold him back. He summoned all his strength, and made one last effort to go on. At first he seemed to advance a little, but the hand of The Ragged One thrust him back. He stumbled, fell, rose again, and staggered on a few steps, then fell once more and could not rise.
“This is the end,” he heard the Silent One saying; “and I have kept my word; I am still with you.”
There was a sound of footsteps approaching stealthily, and The Man opened his eyes with an effort. The companion who had always lagged behind was advancing swiftly, and the black hood was drawn away from his face.
Painfully The Man raised himself on his elbow and looked at the figure for a second, then fell back.
“How strange that I did not know you before,” he muttered faintly, for he had seen the other’s face, and recognized that it was Death.