result of which you have just spoken? It
will be a slow and tedious process at best, and while it is being
achieved many things may happen."

"Nay," answered Xaxaguana, "it will not be nearly so lengthy a process
as you seem to think. This is my plan."

And, placing his mouth to his companion's ear, Xaxaguana proceeded to
whisper a few sentences which appeared to fill Huanacocha with wonder
and admiration.

"Do you think it will succeed?" Xaxaguana demanded, as he concluded his
communication.

"It cannot possibly fail, if carried out with promptitude and
discretion," answered Huanacocha in tones of conviction. "And its
perfect simplicity is its greatest recommendation. When do you propose
to commence operations?"

"At once," answered Xaxaguana, "now, this very day. Nothing will be
talked of during the next few days save the sudden death of the Villac
Vmu and Motahuana, and such a topic of conversation will afford me the
precise opportunity which I require. And now, friend Huanacocha, you
and I have been together quite as long as is either prudent or
desirable. Go, therefore, hence to the palace, acquaint the Inca with
the sad news of which you are the official bearer; inform him, if you
will, that in the zealous discharge of your duty you have visited me for
the purpose of obtaining the fullest information relative to the
deplored event, and direct his attention to the extreme desirability of
creating me Villac Vmu at once."

"Fear not, friend," answered Huanacocha, as he rose to take his leave,
"you shall receive the notification of your appointment in the course of
the day." And, followed by Xaxaguana, who accompanied him as far as the
outer door, he left the apartment and proceeded on his way to the
palace.

Huanacocha was as good as his word; for he not only secured from Harry
the appointment of Xaxaguana to the dignity of Villac Vmu, but actually
took the trouble to hurry back from the palace to the temple with the
information of his success, and the royal warrant duly signed.

As Xaxaguana had anticipated, almost the sole topic of conversation
during the ensuing fortnight was the death of the late Villac Vmu, and
that of his deputy, at practically the same instant of time, as was
determined by the physicians. For the first few days this circumstance
was spoken of simply as a somewhat remarkable coincidence, but not very
long after the obsequies--which were celebrated with unprecedented pomp
in