For,
seated on the golden throne, exactly as before, was Desiree. By
her side was seated the Inca king; round them, guards and
attendants.
We gazed at her in astonishment, but she did not look at us; even
at that distance we could see that her eyes were lowered to the
ground. Harry called her name--there was no answer. Again he
called, and I caught him by the arm.
"Don't, Hal! She can't possibly do us any good, and you may do
her harm. If she doesn't answer, it is because she has a reason."
He was silent, but not convinced, and would probably have argued
the matter if our attention had not been arrested by a movement
in the alcove.
The king rose and extended an arm, and the Incas who filled the
seats surrounding the cavern fell flat on their faces.
"We don't seem to have thinned them out any," I observed. "I
believe there are actually more than before. Where do they all
come from?"
"The Lord knows!"
"And, by the way, it is now apparent why they waited so long to
attend to us. The king naturally wanted to be present at the
entertainment, and he had to take time to recover from his little
fasting operation. But now, what in the name of--my word, the
thing is to be done in all propriety! Look!"
The king had dropped his arm, and the Incas were again sitting as
Nature had intended they should sit, instead of on their noses.
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