“You will obey—obey—obey!”
The voice sounded like the distant murmur of rushing waters. It was rather that of some strange, unearthly being than of anything human.
“I will obey,” replied the girl, in a dull monotone.
To Nick it sounded as if she were talking in her sleep, but she never relaxed her hold on the brazen shoulder, and she stood perfectly upright on the stepladder.[Pg 11]
“It is well,” went on the mysterious voice. “You know what to do. Follow the instructions that will come to you later.”
“How am I to know?” she gasped.
“Listen! Bring your face close to my lips. What I have to tell is for you alone.”
Nick Carter thought he heard her utter a low cry of terror and protest. But immediately afterward she pressed her beautiful, warm cheek against the brazen mouth of the image, and Nick saw in her eyes that she was not cognizant of anything save the message that had already begun to come to her.
The detective made an impulsive step forward. Should he dash up the steps, drag the girl away, and see for himself what this strange scene meant?
He knew that the whole contrivance was some fiendish trick. But who had arranged it, and why, was beyond him. Ched Ramar was a man of high standing in the scientific world—even though he had not been long known in New York. It was inconceivable that he could have any evil purpose in all this. And yet—what was it all about?