The workers now removed the material forming the inclined plane, leaving the wall straight and true, rising from the foot of the escarpment, with each stone exposed to view. As this task was one not requiring their supervision, and would take a long time, for the earth and pebbles were scooped into baskets and returned to the places from which they had been taken, the two Americans did not stay to see its completion. They had spent the days in serious discussions with Soncco, and others of the amautas were sent for at times. The policy of the new government was considered minutely; reforms were considered; and, after numerous secret sessions to which Ted and Stanley admitted only Soncco, the fate of Quizquiz was definitely decided. Their power and authority was supreme; they would use them as they saw fit, and the example they had determined to set was one the people would never forget. CHAPTER XX THE KING IS CROWNED The way back to the city was short, and Ted and Stanley, accompanied only by Soncco and the disguised Quizquiz timed their march so as to arrive after nightfall. They did not want to be observed by the populace. The white-haired amautas, who were on the lookout, took them directly to the royal palace--the one that had been occupied by the late Huayna Capac, and more recently by Quizquiz. “In the olden days each ruler had his own residence,” Soncco apologized. “When an Inca died his palace was closed forever and a new one built for his successor. But there is so little room in the valley that the same edifice is used by all the rulers. But the old furnishings are always destroyed and new ones provided.” “That is perfectly all right so far as we are concerned. We shall retire at once. Come back early in the morning; there are a million things to do,” Stanley replied. Then to Ted, after the amauta had gone: “We shall have our hands full for quite a while. Their whole system of government will have to be studied, but we must make as few changes as possible.” At daybreak the two were awakened by the chatter and whistling of troupials in the garden. Further sleep was impossible, so they went out into the crisp air to view their surroundings and to witness the birth of the new day. “What gorgeous birds!” Ted exclaimed when he discovered the source of the early serenade. “It’s a pity their voices are not so beautiful as their feathers.” A number of troupials, or orioles, of a black-and-yellow color were confined in cages suspended from the lower branches of the trees. They were of a fearless and happy disposition and pecked at the fingers of the men when they thrust them between the golden wires of the little prisons. The two wandered between the trees and flowers for some time. Among the growing, blossoming plants were clumps of artificial ones wrought in gold and silver. They admired and marvelled at the extravagant beauty of the garden; and to think that it was all theirs!