As we passed from behind the tapestry we put out our lamp, each of us holding a few matches in our hands to use in case of emergency.
The blackness was now intense, and as we crept stealthily in single file toward the gate the gloom seemed to press upon us and embrace us. Likewise the silence of the immense vaults, which had been hewn out of solid rock beneath the great mound, was oppressive; for while the jabbering of the King Ape and his violent shaking of his grating at times reverberated through the dome with a thousand echoes, the hush of death that otherwise pervaded the place was but rendered the more effective.
On the occasions of our former visits I had looked upon these chih as mere treasure-houses; now, moving silently through the darkness, I suddenly realized we were in a place of the dead, with many generations of warriors, princes and imperial viceroys lying in state in their heretofore inviolable tombs. Would not the spirits of these great ancestors of Kai resent our intrusion? Spirits! I gave a start at the recollection of a remark Kai Lun Pu had made on his deathbed: “If I find that I possess a spirit I shall try to watch you, and enjoy the fun.”
I am not usually nervous, but I admit that when I recalled this significant speech I shuddered and grasped the scimitar of Kai Abon more tightly in my hand.
“What in thunder’s the matter with you, Sam?” growled Archie, who had his hand on my shoulder.
I did not care to say; but just then Joe, who was in advance of me, touched the grating and whispered:
“Here’s the gate—stop a minute.”
He unfastened the catch and we passed into the great domed hall.
On our right came a sudden rattling of the bars, where the monster ape was still struggling to escape his prison. I reflected that he must be getting hungry by this time, and hunger would make him more ferocious than ever. But our first impulse was to peer anxiously around the great chamber to discover if any light indicated the presence of Mai Lo.
There it was! a faint glimmer coming from one of the alcoves far to the right.