Here I may state that Hans' suppositions proved to be quite correct,
which shows how quick and deductive was his mind. The figure on the
throne was Inez; the priest in his disappointed rage _had_ come to kill
her, and the bride-women had killed _him_ with their knives before he
could do so.

I bade the Zulus tear down the curtain and pull away some of the end
boughs, so as to let in more light. Then we advanced up the place,
holding our pistols and spears in readiness. The kneeling women turned
their heads to look at us and I saw that they were all young and
handsome in their fashion, although fierce-faced. Also I saw their hands
go to the knives they wore. I called to them to let these be and come
out, and that if they did so they had nothing to fear. But if they
understood, they did not heed my words.

On the contrary while Hans and I covered them with our pistols, fearing
lest they should stab the person on the throne whom we took to be Inez,
at some word from one of them, they bowed simultaneously towards her,
then at another word, suddenly they drew the knives and plunged them to
their own hearts!

It was a dreadful sight and one of which I never saw the like. Nor to
this day do I know why the deed was done, unless perhaps the women were
sworn to the service of the new queen and feared that if they failed to
protect her, they would be doomed to some awful end. At any rate we got
them out dead or dying, for their blows had been strong and true, and
not one of them lived for more than a few minutes.

Then I advanced to the figure on the throne, or rather foot-stooled
chair of black wood inlaid with ivory, which sat so silent and
motionless that I was certain it was that of a dead woman, especially
when I perceived that she was fastened to the chair with leather straps,
which were sewn over with gold wire. Also she was veiled and, with one
exception, made up, if I may use the term, exactly to resemble the lady
Ayesha, even down to the two long plaits of black hair, each finished
with some kind of pearl and to the sandalled feet.

The exception was that about her hung a great necklace of gold ornaments
from which were suspended pendants also of gold representing the rayed
disc of the sun in rude but bold and striking workmanship.

I went to her and having cut the straps, since I could not stop to untie
their knots, lifted the veil.

Beneath it was Inez sure enough, and Inez living, for her breast rose
and f