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Do please," in a most insinuating tone of voice "it will do you no end of good. Arima, take hold of his chin and see if you can force his lower jaw open, but be as gentle as you can. There, that's right! Now then!"
"Yes, by all means," answered Harry, "for I have somehow managed to oversleep myself again, and am ravenously hungry. But, Arima, what means this? How do I come to be here? And what town is that which I see yonder at the far end of the lake?"
Arima looked at his master, who nodded indifferently and said: "Yes, see who it is. It can do no harm now." Orme heard the door open. What startled him first was the action of Poritol, who stepped back to the wall, his jaw dropping, his face a picture of embarrassment and fright. Alcatrante and the stranger showed amazement.
But it was accomplished at length by the exercise of almost superhuman ingenuity, with a solitary exception in the case of Arima, who, it was at once recognised, was so faithfully and devotedly attached to his royal master that it would be worse than folly to attempt to corrupt him; he was therefore left severely alone; the most stringent precautions being taken to keep the whole thing secret from him.
He felt assured that Arima would be looked after. Following the road to the first crossing, he turned to the right. In a few minutes he saw the lights of the clubhouse, and a little later he stepped upon the veranda. Many people were seated in the comfortable porch chairs. The charms of the summer evening had held them after their afternoon of play.
"The tale is too long to tell just now, Lord," answered Umu, as he busied himself in freeing Harry from his bonds; "it shall be told later, when I have disposed of these vile wretches. It was Arima who brought me the first hint of what was afoot. Pachacamac be praised that I was able to get here in time! What were they about to do with you, Lord?"
The litter a light but strong structure, framed of bamboos and covered with vicuna cloth, so arranged that it could be completely closed was carried right into the tent, the covering thrown back, and Escombe was lifted, on his mattress and still covered with the bedclothes, off the little iron camp bedstead and carefully placed in the litter, the jewel was replaced about his neck, the pillow under his head was comfortably arranged by Arima, the litter was closed, and then a little procession, consisting of the litter and its four bearers, with the eight other men who acted as reliefs, headed by the two priests, filed silently out into the darkness, leaving Arima, with six men, armed to the teeth with bows and arrows the latter tipped with copper lances of hardwood sharpened by fire, and short swords, the copper blades of which were hardened and tempered almost to the consistency of steel by a process known only to the Peruvians themselves.
She had remained by the door, and but for the attitudes of the others, Orme would not have known but that she had gone. As it was, he could read in their bearing the disconcerting effects of her continued disdain. The Japanese spoke. "Will you enter, miss, or shall we direct you on your way? Arima will come out and talk with you, if you so wish." Still no answer.
His revolver, which he held in his left hand, went off as he fell, and a leaf, cut from a tree above by the bullet, sailed into Orme's face. The policeman lay helpless in the cunning hold of Maku Maku, who, fully restored to his senses, had crept up to save Arima from the law. Orme wondered whether the girl had heard the shot. Probably not, for she was driving into the wind.
"Now, Arima," exclaimed Harry, "is there anything worth knowing to be gained by a prolonged examination of this `form'? Because, if not, we will press on at once, since time is precious. The chief went in that direction, of course even I can see that and the trail is so clear that we ought to be able to follow it at a canter." "Yes, quite easily, Senor," acquiesced Arima.
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