"You will soon see that."
"And what am I to do when the performance is over?" demanded Bob.
"I'll see that you are properly taken care of," declared Stoodles.
"All right," said Bob. "I suppose you know what you are about, but it's a pretty elaborate programme you are laying out."
"Oh, I know how to hocus these superstitious people, that's all," said Stoodles lightly. "I've done it before, you know."
Stoodles took Bob over to the public tribune. Everybody in the village seemed to be asleep. They were apparently unnoticed and undisturbed as they got the bundles up into the great bowl.
Bob climbed in after. Stoodles gave him a few last words of direction. Then he started off to carry out his own part of the programme.
The side of the great earthen bowl in which Bob now found himself was perforated all around the scalloped outer edges. Bob kept Stoodles in sight as long as he could by peering through one of these.
"He has gone in the direction of the royal council room," thought Bob. "This is a queer go. I wonder how it will turn out? In an hour, he said--all right."
Bob looked at his watch, flashing a match for the purpose. Then he arranged the various paraphernalia that were to take part in Pat Stoodles' programme.