“This place is holy and you have desecrated it by your presence,” Quizquiz hissed as they reached a stone sacrificial altar which stood in the centre of the floor. “You have insulted me, the king, have laid your hands on my sacred person, have gazed upon the venerable dead, and----” “And we will do one other thing--you know what it is--if you don’t hurry and do what we told you to. Now take your oath; turn around so every one can hear you, then repeat what we said.” “Release me so I can kneel!” Stanley relaxed his hold and the Inca knelt close to the altar. Raising both hands he began in a solemn voice: “In this holy temple, in the presence of my forefathers now resting in the glory of the sun, I, Quizquiz, king, swear that----” At the same moment Stanley noticed a movement in the altar wall. A panel was sliding noiselessly to one side. He made a quick lunge for Quizquiz, and Ted struck with the heavy staff just as the Inca dived headlong into the dark opening that had been revealed under the stones. The door sprang back instantly and from beyond it a mocking voice continued in triumph: “Your punishment will be a thousand times more terrible because of this. You shall see!” The two stared at one another in blank amazement. It had happened so quickly that it was over before they were fully aware of what was taking place. They pushed and tugged at the panel, but it resisted their efforts. In kneeling to pray, Quizquiz had pressed a secret mechanism that operated the sliding front of the altar. And he had made good his escape. He had out-generalled them just as it had seemed certain that their release and departure from the valley was assured. The blow stunned them. “He’s gone for good,” Stanley panted. “It’s all over with us now.” “Why didn’t we fix him while we had him? Why didn’t we at least tie his hands and feet? We might have known what to expect. Listen!” A loud shout from without rent the air. The Inca had reappeared and the people acclaimed him with loud applause. Suddenly the noise stopped; some one was speaking. Scarcely knowing what they did the two crept forward to listen. The voice was Villac Umu’s: “Our holy and adored sovereign, having finished his devotions in the temple, now commands that we, his unworthy slaves, proceed with our declarations. Tupichi, commander of the army, advance, kiss the king’s feet with reverence, and speak. But hold! First I must again remind you of the responsibility attached to the honor bestowed upon you by the king, for each high honor, like each exalted position, carries with it the heavy burden of rendering worthy account of the opportunities it affords. Therefore, should your proposal displease our generous and beloved ruler, you must suffer the fate you suggested for the prisoners.” Tupichi came forward as he was bidden, knelt humbly, and kissed the Inca’s feet. After a slight pause, lengthened by the silence of the crowd, his tremulous voice could be heard.