I stood straight, and my voice was calm. It cost me an effort to
clear it of bitterness and reproach. I could not avoid the
reflection that but for Desiree we would never have seen the cave
of the devil and the Children of the Sun; but I said simply and
clearly:
"You win, madame."
Desiree stared at me in the most profound surprise. I understood
her, and I laughed scornfully aloud, and held my head high; and I
think a voice never held so complete a disdain as did mine as I
called to her:
"I am one who plays fair, even with death, Le Mire. The coin
fell heads--you win your black cord fairly."
She made no sign that she had heard; she was raising the knife.
Suddenly she stopped, again her hand fell, and she said:
"You say the purple for reward, Paul?"
I nodded--I could not speak. Her hand touched the white cord and
passed on; the yellow, and again passed on. Then there was a
flash of the knife--another--and she approached the king and laid
at his feet the purple cord.
Then, without a glance toward us, she resumed her seat on the
golden throne.
A lump rose to my throat and tears to my eyes. Which was very
foolish, for the thing had been completely theatrical.
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