ecial orders from me which I may not be
able to give. Now, come on. If we do not return, Adams, you will see the
Child of Kings safely up the shafts and conduct her to Mur. Good-bye,
Lady."

"Good-bye," answered Maqueda in a brave voice; I could not see her
face in the darkness. "Presently, I am sure, you will return with your
brother."

Just then Joshua broke in:

"I will not be outdone in courage by these Gentiles," he said. "Lacking
their terrible weapons, I cannot advance into the den, but I will
descend and guard the foot of the ladder."

"Very well, sir," answered Orme in an astonished voice, "glad to have
your company, I am sure. Only remember that you must be quick in going
up it again, since hungry lions are active, and let all take notice that
we are not responsible for anything that may happen to you."

"Surely you had better stop where you are, my uncle," remarked Maqueda.

"To be mocked by you for ever after, my niece. No, I go to face the
lions," and very slowly he crept through the hole and began to descend
the ladder. Indeed, when Quick followed after an interval he found
him only half-way down, and had to hurry his movements by accidentally
treading on his fingers.

A minute or two later, peeping over the edge, I saw that they were all
in the den, that is, except Joshua, who had reascended the ladder to the
height of about six feet, and stood on it face outward, holding to the
rock on either side with his hands as though he had been crucified.
Fearing lest he should be seen there, even in the shadow, I suggested to
Maqueda that she should order him either to go down, or to return, which
she did vigorously, but without effect. So in the end we left him alone.

Meanwhile the three had vanished into the shadow of the sphinx, and we
could see nothing of them. The great round moon rose higher and higher,
flooding the rest of the charnel-house with light, and, save for an
occasional roar or whimper from the lions beyond the wall, the silence
was intense. Now I could make out the metal gates in this wall, and even
dark and stealthy forms which passed and repassed beyond their bars.
Then I made out something else also, the figures of men gathering on the
top of the wall, though whence they came I knew not. By degrees their
number increased till there were hundreds of them, for the wall was
broad as a roadway.

Evidently these were spectators, come to witness the ceremony of
sacrifice.

"Prince," I