"What burnt Maguennoc will not burn me," replied Vorski, solemnly.
And, in bravado, swelling with pride and delight, he kept the mysterious stone in the hollow of his hand, which he clenched with all his strength:
"Let it burn me! I will let it! Let it sear my flesh! I shall be glad if it will!"
Conrad made a sign to him and put his finger to his lips.
"What's the matter?" asked Vorski. "Do you hear anything?"
"Yes," said the other.
"So do I," said Otto.
What they heard was a rhythmical, measured sound, which rose and fell and made a sort of irregular music.
"Why, it's close by!" mumbled Vorski. "It sounds as if it were in the room."
It was in the room, as they soon learnt for certain; and there was no doubt that the sound was very like a snore.