But it was not to be so easy. We were nearly to the door when
there came a grating, rumbling sound from above, and a huge block
of granite dropped squarely across the doorway with a crash that
made the ground tremble beneath our feet.
Stupefied, we realized in a flash that the cunning of the Incas
had proved too much for us. Harry and I ran forward, but only to
invite despair; the doorway was completely covered by the massive
rock, an impenetrable curtain of stone weighing many tons, and on
neither side was there an opening more than an inch wide. We were
imprisoned beyond all hope of escape.
We stood stunned; Desiree even made no sound, but gazed at the
blocked doorway in a sort of stupid wonder. It was one of those
sudden and overwhelming catastrophes that deprive us for a moment
of all power to reason or even to realize.
Then Harry said quietly:
"Well, the game's up."
And Desiree turned to me with the calm observation:
"They must have been watching us. We were fools not to have
known it."
"Impossible!" Harry asserted; but I agreed with Desiree; and
though I could see no opening or crevice of any sort in the walls
or ceiling, I was convinced that even then the eyes of the Incas
were upon us.
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