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As I said this I took her hands from where they rested on my shoulders, and led her to the seat of Joyful Star, who was standing in front of it, with one hand on the arm of her chair and the other one clasped to her heart, her face white with fear and her eyes wide with wonder. 'What has happened, Vilcaroya? she said, in a voice so low that it was almost a whisper.

Depend upon it, a little reflection will very soon show her that, horrible and all as the idea must naturally have appeared to her at the first shock of hearing it, from Vilcaroya's point of view there is nothing in it but what is perfectly natural and proper. Now, to my mind, the matter is much more sad and serious for Vilcaroya himself than for anyone else.

'I think you had better let them go alone. There is no fear for your sister with all of us here so near; and if what Vilcaroya says is true, why should she not see her first? Djama drew back, though with no very good grace, and I went into the inner chamber, helping Ruth over the fallen stones. Then I flashed my light on Golden Star's face and said,

'What do you mean, Vilcaroya? she said, in a voice that was half angry and half fearful. 'Do you mean no, I cannot say it for I am sure you do not mean that. 'How could that be? I answered, guessing her meaning. 'Is it not you who have taught me the ways and thoughts of the world into which I have come back?

'No, not here, I said, breaking into his speech; 'and more, it is not only your oath that I want. There must be witnesses, for this is too great a thing to do lightly. To-morrow night we will go back to the Hall of Gold, and there you shall swear your oaths and they shall be witnessed. 'Very well, he said. 'Whenever and wherever you like. But now, Vilcaroya, I have something else to say to you.

Let all of the sentries who will not serve us be disarmed or slain silently by the others, and this before midnight, and let those who are for us who shall come with the Governor to-morrow make ready to do quickly that which shall be commanded them. The password for those who are with us will be "Vilcaroya." The rest I will do with my own hands and the help of my friend.

Then thou shalt see how Vilcaroya deals with his enemies. He bent his head in assent, and took his place beside Hartness, and as we marched away Hartness said to me, 'I don't think I shall have much to teach you in strategy, Vilcaroya, but I must say that I would rather have a stand-up fight than this kind of thing.

'Supper yes, I had forgotten all about it, thinking of poor Golden Star lying there all alone in the darkness. Of course, I am desperately hungry, now that you remind me of it. Come, Vilcaroya, I am sure you are hungry too. Another night alone won't matter much to poor Golden Star after all these years. You can dream of her to-night, as I suppose we all shall, and to-morrow we shall see her.

I, Vilcaroya son of Huayna-Capac, son of the great Yupanqui Inca, before whose throne-seat I am now standing alive in your presence am he of whom it was said that one who should pass from life to life through the shadows of death should grasp the sceptre of the divine Manco, and restore the ancient glory of the Children of the Sun.

Dost thou not remember me, Vilcaroya, thy brother, who went into the darkness with thee long ago, and has been permitted to return before thee that he might greet thee and bid thee welcome? Her eyes wandered from my face to Joyful Star's, and then she smiled again, but no answering words came from her parted lips.