The priest Oros had called our guide Minister, and Sword, that is, one who carries out decrees.  But what if they were its own decrees?  What if this thing should be she whom we sought, Ayesha herself? Why should I tremble at the thought, seeing that if so, our quest was ended, we had achieved?  Oh! it must be because about this being there was something terrible, something un-human and appalling.  If Ayesha lived within those mummy-cloths, then it was a different Ayesha whom we had known and worshipped.  Well could I remember the white-draped form of She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed, and how, long before she revealed her glorious face to us, we guessed the beauty and the majesty hidden beneath that veil by which her radiant life and loveliness incarnate could not be disguised.

But what of this creature?  I would not pursue the thought.  I was mistaken.  Doubtless she was what the priest Oros had said—­some half-supernatural being to whom certain powers were given, and, doubtless, she had come to spy on us in our rest that she might make report to the giver of those powers.

Comforting myself thus I fell asleep again, for fatigue overcame even such doubts and fears.  In the morning, when they were naturally less vivid, I made up my mind that, for various reasons, it would be wisest to say nothing of what I had seen to Leo.  Nor, indeed, did I do so until some days had gone by.

When I awoke the full light was pouring into the chamber, and by it I saw the priest Oros standing at my bedside.  I sat up and asked him what time it was, to which he answered with a smile, but in a low voice, that it lacked but two hours of mid-day, adding that he had come to set my arm.  Now I saw why he spoke low, for Leo was still fast asleep.

“Let him rest on,” he said, as he undid the wrappings on my arm, “for he has suffered much, and,” he continued significantly, “may still have more to suffer.”

“What do you mean, friend Oros?” I asked sharply.  “I thought you told us that we were safe upon this Mountain.”

“I told you, friend——­” and he looked at me.

“Holly is my name——­”

“—­friend Holly, that your bodies are safe.  I said nothing of all the rest of you.  Man is more than flesh and blood.  He is mind and spirit as well, and these can be injured also.”

“Who is there that would injure them?” I asked.

“Friend,” he answered, gravely, “you and your companion have come to a haunted land, not as mere wanderers, for then you would be dead ere now, but of set purpose, seeking to lift the veil from mysteries which have been hid for ages.  Well, your aim is known and it may chance that it will be achieved.  But if this veil is lifted, it may chance also that you will find what shall send your souls shivering to despair and madness.  Say, are you not afraid?”

“Somewhat,” I answered.  “Yet my foster-son and I have seen strange things and lived.  We have seen the very Light of Life roll by in majesty; we have been the guests of an Immortal, and watched Death seem to conquer her and leave us untouched.  Think you then that we will turn cowards now?  Nay, we march on to fulfil our destinies.”