After a while Ted was compelled to admit that he could not make out the meaning of the string.
“Well,” Stanley informed him, “this is my calendar. I am keeping track of the days. Each morning I tie another knot. We left Cuzco on the 12th of the month; it is the 26th to-day.”
“How the days pass, even if the hours drag! I would not have thought it is so long since we got into this. By now we have been given up for lost. I can only hope the colonel suspects what happened and starts an investigation. One of the sentinels must have been in the plot and may talk if he is cornered.”
Further conversation was checked by the entrance of an officer of the guard attended by a score of soldiers. He looked at them haughtily and elevated his dagger to the waist-line, point outward.
“Quizquiz, Inca, Child of the Sun, greatest king that ever came from heaven to rule the earth, commands that you appear before his sacred person. Prepare at once to face the mighty sovereign,” he announced in a loud voice.
“Did he tell you to say that?” Stanley asked.
“He did. You will come at once. The king waits on no man.”
“I thought so. It sounds like him. Tell Quizquiz, Inca, and biggest coward that ever lived that we are ready to fight at any time he desires.”
“You dare be insolent! You shall pay for this,” the officer retorted. “Come with me at once.”
“Suppose we refuse?”