They have disappointed me, they have failed; therefore, let them go and make room for others who will succeed.""Then you are a greater assassin than any that the world has bred, or than all of them put together.There is nobody as bad, even in the Book of Revelation!" shouted Bastin, in a kind of fury."Moreover, I am not like Bickley.I know enough of you and your hellish powers to believe that what you plan, that you can do.""I believe it also," sneered Oro."But how comes it that the Great One whom you worship does not prevent the deed, if He exists, and it be evil?""He will prevent it!" raved Bastin."Even now He commands me to prevent it, and I obey!" Then, drawing the revolver from his pocket, he pointed it at Oro's breast, adding: "Swear not to commit this crime, or I will kill you!""So the man of peace would become a man of blood," mused Oro, "and kill that I may not kill for the good of the world? Why, what is the matter with that toy of yours, Preacher?" and he pointed to the pistol.
Well might he ask, for as he spoke the revolver flew out of Bastin's hand.High into the air it flew, and as it went discharged itself, all the six chambers of it, in rapid succession, while Bastin stood staring at his arm and hand which he seemed unable to withdraw.
"Do you still threaten me with that outstretched hand, Preacher?" mocked Oro.
"I can't move it," said Bastin; "it seems turned to stone.""Be thankful that you also are not turned to stone.But, because your courage pleases me, I will spare you, yes, and will advance you in my New Kingdom.What shall you be? Controller of Religions, I think, since all the qualities that a high priest should have are yours--faith, fanaticism and folly.""It is very strange," said Bastin, "but all of a sudden my arm and hand are quite well again.I suppose it must have been 'pins and needles' or something of that sort which made me throw away the pistol and pull the trigger when I didn't mean to do so."Then he went to fetch that article which had fallen beyond the dais, and quite forgot his intention of executing Oro in the interest of testing its mechanism, which proved to be destroyed.
To his proposed appointment he made no illusion.If he comprehended what was meant, which I doubt, he took it as a joke.
"Hearken all of you," said Oro, lifting his head suddenly, for while Bastin recovered the revolver he had been brooding."The great thing which I shall do tomorrow must be witnessed by you because thereby only can you come to understand my powers.Also yonder where I bring it about in the bowels of the earth, you will be safer than elsewhere, since when and perhaps before it happens, the whole world will heave and shake and tremble, and Iknow not what may chance, even in these caves.For this reason also, do not forget to bring the little hound with you, since him least of all of you would I see come to harm, perhaps because once, hundreds of generations ago as you reckon time, I had a dog very like to him.Your mother loved him much, Yva, and when she died, this dog died also.He lies embalmed with her on her coffin yonder in the temple, and yesterday I went to look at both of them.The beasts are wonderfully alike, which shows the everlastingness of blood."He paused a while, lost in thought, then continued: "After the deed is done I'll speak with you and you shall choose, Strangers, whether you will die your own masters, or live on to serve me.
Now there is one problem that is left to me to solve--whether Ican save a certain land--do not ask which it is, Humphrey, though I see the question in your eyes--or must let it go with the rest.
I only answer you that I will do my best because you love it.So farewell for a while, and, Preacher, be advised by me and do not aim too high again.""It doesn't matter where I aim," answered Bastin sturdily, "or whether I hit or miss, since there is something much bigger than me waiting to deal with you.The countries that you think you are going to destroy will sleep quite as well tomorrow as they do tonight, Oro.""Much better, I think, Preacher, since by then they will have left sorrow and pain and wickedness and war far behind them.""Where are we to go?" I asked.
"The Lady Yva will show you," he answered, waving his hand, and once more bent over his endless calculations.
Yva beckoned to us and we turned and followed her down the hall.She led us to a street near the gateway of the temple and thence into one of the houses.There was a portico to it leading to a court out of which opened rooms somewhat in the Pompeian fashion.We did not enter the rooms, for at the end of the court were a metal table and three couches also of metal, on which were spread rich-looking rugs.Whence these came I do not know and never asked, but I remember that they were very beautiful and soft as velvet.
"Here you may sleep," she said, "if sleep you can, and eat of the food that you have brought with you.Tomorrow early I will call you when it is time for us to start upon our journey into the bowels of the earth.""I don't want to go any deeper than we are," said Bastin doubtfully.
"I think that none of us want to go, Bastin," she answered with a sigh."Yet go we must.I pray of you, anger the Lord Oro no more on this or any other matter.In your folly you tried to kill him, and as it chanced he bore it well because he loves courage.
But another time he may strike back, and then, Bastin--""I am not afraid of him," he answered, "but I do not like tunnels.Still, perhaps it would be better to accompany you than to be left in this place alone.Now I will unpack the food."Yva turned to go.
"I must leave you," she said, "since my father needs my help.
The matter has to do with the Force that he would let loose tomorrow, and its measurements; also with the preparation of the robes that we must wear lest it should harm us in its leap."Something in her eyes told me that she wished me to follow her, and I did so.Outside the portico where we stood in the desolate, lighted street, she halted.