u."

"What kind of music can it be to travel all those miles across the sea?"

"A peculiar kind, so we are told. Not pleasant, but painful. And the man
that can play the instrument of Earthrid would be able to conjure up the
most astonishing forms, which are not phantasms, but realities."

"That may be so," growled Polecrab. "But I have been to the island by
daylight, and what did I find there? Human bones, new and ancient. Those
are Earthrid's victims. And you, wife, shall not go."

"But will that music play tonight?" asked Maskull.

"Yes," replied Gleameil, gazing at him intently. "When Teargeld rises,
which is our moon."

"If Earthrid plays men to death, it appears to me that his own death is
due. In any case I should like to hear those sounds for myself. But as
for taking you with me, Gleameil--women die too easily in Tormance. I
have only just now washed myself clean of the death blood of another
woman."

Gleameil laughed, but said nothing.

"Now go to sleep," said Polecrab. "When the time comes, I will take you
across myself."

He lay down again, and closed his eyes. Maskull followed his example;
but Gleameil remained sitting erect, with her legs under her.

"Who was that other woman, Maskull?" she asked presently.

He did not answer, but pretended to sleep.

Chapter 15. SWALONE'S ISLAND

When he awoke, the day was not so bright, and he guessed it was late
afternoon. Polecrab and his wife were both on their feet, and another
meal of fish had been cooked and was waiting for him.

"Is it decided who is to go with me?" he asked, before sitting down.

"I go," said Gleameil.

"Do you agree, Polecrab?"

The fisherman growled a little in his throat and motioned to the others
to take their seats. He took a mouthful before answering.

"Something strong is attracting her, and I can't hold her back. I don't
think I shall see you again, wife, but the lads are now nearly old
enough to fend for themselves."

"Don't take dejected views," replied Gleameil sternly. She was not
eating. "I shall come back, and make amends to you. It's only for a
night."

Maskull gazed from one to the other in perplexity. "Let me go alone. I
would be sorry if anything happened."

Gleameil shook her head.

"Don't regard this as a woman's caprice," she said. "Even if you hadn't
passed this way, I would have heard that music soon. I have a hunger for
it."

"Haven't you any such feeling, Polecrab?"

"No. A woman is a n