Possibly the memory of some such deception, an experience of times long past, has been awakened within him. It embitters his speech as he continues—
“I can’t—I won’t believe you—though you are Kaolin’s sister, and ever so fair to look upon.”
“But you will, when you look upon this.”
She draws out the string of teeth snatched from the neck of the sorceress, and holds it up to his eyes, adding—
“That I bring from Shebotha herself. She gave it me to show you as a sign that I have her permission to speak with the paleface—nay, her command, as I’ve said. Now!”
At sight of the hideous symbol, which he instantly recognises, his incredulity is at an end. For he knows how jealously the sorceress guards this token, and that no one could have obtained it from her without some special purpose, or to do a service to herself. What it may be he questions not, nor longer forbids entrance to the hut, but nods towards the door, as much as to say—
“You can go in.”