."

"Now perhaps we come nearer to it, Larico. You mean that if this
happened and perchance after all Urco should come to the throne, as he
might do if Kari his brother died--as any man may die--he would hold you
to account."

"Yes, Lord, if that chanced, as chance it may, since Urco still lives
and I hear is gathering new armies among the mountains, certainly he
would hold me to account for I have heard as much. Also our father
the Sun would hold me to account and so would the Inca who wields his
sceptre upon earth."

I asked him why he did not think of all these things before when he had
much to gain instead of now when he had gained them through me, and he
answered because he had not considered them enough. Then I pretended to
grow angry and exclaimed:

"You are a rogue, Larico! You promise and take your pay and you do not
perform. Henceforth I am your enemy and one to whom the Inca hearkens."

"He hearkens still more to this god the Sun and to me who am the voice
of God, White Man," he answered, adding insolently, "You would strike
too late; your power over me and my fortunes is gone, White Man."

"I fear it is so," I replied, pretending to be frightened, "so let us
say no more of the matter. After all, there are other women in Cuzco
besides this fair bride of the Sun. Now before you go, High-Priest, will
you who are so learned help me who am ignorant? I have been striving to
master your method of conveying thoughts by means of knots. Here I have
a bundle of strings which I cannot altogether understand. Be pleased to
interpret them to me, O most holy and upright High-Priest."

Then from my robe I drew out those knotted fibres that I had taken from
his messenger and held them before Larico's eyes.

He stared at them and turned pale. His hand groped for his dagger till
he saw that mine was on the hilt of Wave-Flame, whereon he let it fall.
Next the thought took him that in truth I could not read the knots which
he began to interpret falsely.

"Have done, Traitor," I laughed, "for I know them all. So Urco may wed
Quilla and I may not. Also cease to fret as to that messenger of
yours for whom you seek far and near, since he is safe in my keeping.
To-morrow I take him to deliver his message not to Urco, but to
Kari--and then, Traitor?"

Now Larico who, notwithstanding his stern face and proud manner, was a
coward at heart, fell upon his knees before me trembling and prayed me
to spare his life which lay in my