“Then his exemption from future death-service has been earned.”
At these words the man who had replied to the above questions stepped forward, bowed to those who were seated on the platform, uttered a formula, of which I did not catch the import, and then ranged himself upon the opposite side of the room to the one he had previously been standing at.
“Remove the body,” was the next command. In another moment the board upon which the dead man had been laid was re-covered, and was lifted up by four figures, who marched down the room with it, and disappeared through a low door, which was bolted after their exit, amid a dead silence on the part of those left behind.
“Now my turn is at hand,” I thought, feeling sick with dread, and looking in vain for a friendly sparkle in the eyes of the silent figures around me. My premonition was correct, for the next words I heard referred to myself.
“Who is the prisoner?”
“We do not know,” was the reply.
“How came she here?”
“She was spying upon one of our chosen.”
“Did she betray antagonistic intentions?”
“Yes; she sprang forward, as if to strike, simultaneously with the man who has already been removed.”