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seen him emptying into his pocket the contents of a corked bottle
of quinine tabloids which he always carried with him； I guessed
very well that his object was to procure a sample of this water
for future analysis。 Of course I said nothing； and Yva and Bastin
took no note of what he was doing。
When we were clear of the palace； of which we had only seen one
hall； we walked across an open space made unutterably dreary by
the absence of any vegetation or other sign of life； towards a
huge building of glorious proportions that was constructed of
black stone or marble。 It is impossible for me to give any idea
of the frightful solemnity of this doomed edifice； for as I think
I have said； it alone had a roof； standing there in the midst of
that brilliant； unvarying and most unnatural illumination which
came from nowhere and yet was everywhere。 Thus； when one lifted a
foot； there it was between the sole of the boot and the floor； or
to express it better； the boot threw no shadow。 I think this
absence of shadows was perhaps the most terrifying circumstance
connected with that universal and pervading light。 Through it we
walked on to the temple。 We passed three courts； pillared all of
them； and came to the building which was larger than St。 Paul's
in London。 We entered through huge doors which still stood open；
and presently found ourselves beneath the towering dome。 There
were no windows； why should there be in a place that was full of
light？ There was no ornamentation； there was nothing except black
walls。 And yet the general effect was magnificent in its majestic
grace。
〃In this place；〃 said Yva； and her sweet voice went whispering
round the walls and the arching dome； 〃were buried the Kings of
the Sons of Wisdom。 They lie beneath； each in his sepulchre。 Its
entrance is yonder；〃 and she pointed to what seemed to be a
chapel on the right。 〃Would you wish to see them？〃
〃Somehow I don't care to；〃 said Bastin。 〃The place is dreary
enough as it is without the company of a lot of dead kings。〃
〃I should like to dissect one of them； but I suppose that would
not be allowed；〃 said Bickley。
〃No；〃 she answered。 〃I think that the Lord Oro would not wish
you to cut up his forefathers。〃
〃When you and he went to sleep； why did you not choose the
family vault？〃 asked Bastin。
〃Would you have found us there？〃 she queried by way of answer。
Then； understanding that the invitation was refused by general
consent； though personally I should have liked to accept it； and
have never ceased regretting that I did not； she moved towards a
colossal object which stood beneath the centre of the dome。
On a stepped base； not very different from that in the cave but
much larger； sat a figure； draped in a cloak on which was graved
a number of stars； doubtless to symbolise the heavens。 The
fastening of the cloak was shaped like the crescent moon； and the
foot…stool on which rested the figure's feet was fashioned to
suggest the orb of the sun。 This was of gold or some such metal；
the only spot of brightness in all that temple。 It was impossible
to say whether the figure were male or female； for the cloak
falling in long； straight folds hid its outlines。 Nor did the
head tell us； for the hair also was hidden beneath the mantle and
the face might have been that of either man or woman。 It was
terrible in its solemnity and calm； and its expression was as
remote and mystic as that of Buddha。 only more stern。 Also
without doubt it was blind； it was impossible to mistake the
sightlessness of those staring orbs。 Across the knees lay a naked
sword and beneath the cloak the arms were hidden。 In its complete
simplicity the thing was marvelous。
On either side upon the pedestal knelt a figure of the size of
life。 One was an old and withered man with death stamped upon his
face； the other was a beautiful； naked woman； her hands clasped
in the attitude of prayer and with vague terror written on her
vivid features。
Such was this glorious group of which the meaning could not be
mistaken。 It was Fate throned upon the sun； wearing the
constellations as his garment； armed with the sword of Destiny
and worshipped by Life and Death。 This interpretation I set out
to the others。
Yva knelt before the statue for a little while； bowing her head
in prayer； and really I felt inclined to follow her example；
though in the end I compromised； as did Bickley； by taking off my
hat； which； like the others； I still wore from force of habit；
though in this place none were needed。 Only Bastin remained
covered。
〃Behold the god of my people；〃 said Yva。 〃Have you no reverence
for it； O Bastin？〃
〃Not much；〃 he answered； 〃except as a work of art。 You see I
worship Fate's Master。 I might add that your god doesn't seem to
have done much for you； Lady Yva； as out of all your greatness
there's nothing left but two people and a lot of old walls and
caves。〃
At first she was inclined to be angry； for I saw her start。
Then her mood changed； and she said with a sigh：
〃Fate's Master！ Where does He dwell？〃
〃Here amongst other places；〃 said Bastin。 〃I'll soon explain
that to you。〃
〃I thank you；〃 she replied gravely。 〃But why have you not
explained it to Bickley？〃 Then waving her hand to show that she
wished for no answer； she went on：
〃Friends； would you wish to learn something of the history of
my people？〃
〃Very much；〃 said the irrepressible Bastin； 〃but I would rather
the lecture took place in the open air。〃
〃That is not possible；〃 she answered。 〃It must be here and now；
or not at all。 Come； stand by me。 Be silent and do not move。 I am
about to set loose forces that are dangerous if disturbed。〃
Chapter XVI
Visions of the Past
She led us to the back of the statue and pointed to each of us
where we should remain。 Then she took her place at right angles
to us； as a showman might do； and for a while stood immovable。
Watching her face； once more I saw it； and indeed all her body；
informed with that strange air of power； and noted that her eyes
flashed and that her hair grew even more brilliant than was
common； as though some abnormal strength were flowing through it
and her。 Presently she spoke； saying：
〃I shall show you first our people in the day of their glory。
Look in front of you。〃
We looked and by degrees the vast space of the apse before us
became alive with forms。 At first these were vague and shadowy；
not to be separated or distinguished。 Then they became so real
that until he was reproved by a kick； Tommy growled at them and
threatened to break out into one of his peals of barking。
A wonderful scene appeared。 There was a palace of white marble
and in front of it a great courtyard upon which the sun beat
vividly。 At the foot of the steps of the palace； beneath a silken
awning； sat a king enthroned； a crown upon his head and wearing
glorious robes。 In his h