mind, but none of them approached the fact.
But, thinking that our guide might now return at any moment to lead us
below, and not caring to be surprised by an attack from behind on that
narrow precipice, I moved across to the rear, where I could keep my
eyes on the alcove opposite, and at the same time watch the stone slab
which closed the opening to the spiral stairway. A word to Harry and
he joined me.

"Perhaps we can open it from above," he suggested.

"Not likely," I answered, "and, anyway, what's the use?"

He knelt down and tugged at it, but there was no edge on which to
obtain a purchase. The thing was immovable.

Five minutes passed, during which there was no movement, either in the
audience on the stone seats or in the alcove. But there was an
indefinable air of expectancy on the faces of the king and those
surrounding him, and I kept a sharp eye on the stone slab.

Another five minutes and still nothing happened. Harry called across
to Desiree, or rather began to call, for I stopped him with a jerk. It
was impossible for her to aid us, and her situation was already
sufficiently perilous.

Then, becoming impatient, I decided to try to move the stone slab
myself. Kneeling down, I placed the palms of my hands firmly against
its surface and pressed with all my weight.

And then I knew. Complete comprehension flashed through my brain on
the instant. I sprang to my feet, and my thought must have shown on my
face, for Harry looked at me in surprise, demanding:

"What is it? What is it, Paul?"

And I answered calmly:

"We're caught, Hal. Like rats in a trap. Oh, the black devils!
Listen! We have no time to lose. Bend over and touch the palm of your
hand to the ground."

He did so, plainly puzzled. Then he drew his hand hastily away,
exclaiming: "It's hot!"

"Yes." I spoke quickly. "Our boots kept us from feeling it before, and
the stone doesn't throw out enough heat to feel it in the air. They've
built a fire under us in the column. The stone is thick and heats
slowly."

"But what--that means--"

"It means one of two things. In a few minutes this floor will be
baking hot. Then we either fry on their stone griddle or drown in the
lake. You see the distance below--only a man crazed by suffering or
one incredibly brave would take that leap. This is their little
entertainment--they expect us to dance for them."

"But the lake! If we could take it clean--"

I saw that the lake w