CHAPTER XLVI - GO!

Two days passed by. Days of excitement and expectation such as had never been known before in Sahama. The Queen, moved by considerations for herself alone, had recourse to every available artifice, secret and open, to divert the minds of the people, and relieve the tension, but they were obdurate. The conviction that Glarces had been found had taken root too firmly to be disturbed. It could not be denied that the message to Teresh was unsatisfactory and surrounded, in a sense, by mystery; still Casca was absent. Where was he? Why did he not come? Had he really fallen into evil hands, and been made a prisoner with the Prince? These and similar questions were being freely asked, and failure to answer them served to fan the flame of popular enthusiasm.

Then the secret leaked out that Chryses had found a second message on the altar, which was delivered to the Queen. Of its contents no one knew anything; in fact, its existence had been ignored, if not actually denied. This aroused a feeling of distrust against the palace, and the aspect of affairs became more ominous as the time passed, but no news arrived.

Suspense, expectancy, and determination prevailed everywhere. Each separate community throughout the valley had been brought into constant touch by the establishment of runners travelling in all directions. Slaves were relieved from regular duties to search for Glarces or Casca - one or both - with promises of freedom and large reward if successful, and every hour gave birth to new suggestions, none of which were too wild or extravagant to be heard and tried.

In the palace matters reached even a more acute stage, if possible, than in the city. The Queen was at the mercy of fears and torturing powers the people had not dreamed of. They were troubled, at most, by intangible doubts - illusory suspicions - such as she had hitherto exorcised by the magic of her presence; but she was in the coils of a guilty conscience, fascinated by the certainty of approaching retribution, nor able to help herself by reason of the paralysis of her mind.

Hitherto Casca had been a factor in her scheme, useful when needed, but altogether too mean to merit consideration. But Zillah's words revealed the fact that his true position was one of startling importance, and subsequent events had compelled the Queen to recognise that he was the actual key to her individual safety.

What had become of him - why did he not come? In the fury of their tempest of appalling doubt, she was impotent, helpless, and forsaken.

The torture presently became unendurable, her will broke down, and she was compelled to speak to some one. She chose Meshrac as her confidant, telling him as little as possible, in order to commission him to undertake a search of the golden caves.

This, in company with two or three of the associates of his cult who could be implicitly trusted, he carried out, failing, however, to find any trace either of the Prince or chamberlain, and also without telling either of his co-searchers of one or two suggestive trifles he had discovered when peering down the haunted chasm.

That night the astrologer, in his deep sympathy with the welfare of the Queen, sat in long and close consultation with the stars, and presently deciphered a communication causing him to assemble the brotherhood for a solemn enquiry at the oracle. Here he invoked the shade of Glarces, and learned how considerably the Prince had been provided for during the period of his self-imposed imprisonment, to which Lais had at first stoutly objected, and only yielded in deference to his own determined will. He further cleared the Queen of all complicity in his crime, accepted the sole responsibility for silence as to his fate, and announced his consent to ratify this before the world in the acceptance of the Queen's hand in marriage. He next proceeded to eulogise Casca for the fidelity and consideration shown to him in his retirement, and spoke of the joy with which he had anticipated his speedy return to the people. This, however, the gods had wisely decreed was not to be. During his usual exercise he had incautiously ventured too near the edge of the chasm, where his foot slipped, and he was lost. His two slaves had made every effort to save him, in which both fell victims to their loyalty, evidences of which would still be seen upon examination of the place.

This most circumstantial communication was given to the Queen in due course, the place indicated was searched, and the truth of the oracle substantially confirmed.

This was the position of affairs three days after Casca's disappearance, as Teresh and Zachra conferred with each other in the garden drawing near to Maphir's lodgings.

The hunter had just returned from exercising the lions. “I hope you have some good news to-day,” said Zachra.

“Nothing new,” he replied; “I met several runners, but they had heard nothing.”

“Did you tell them anything?” asked Teresh significantly. “I had nothing to tell them.”

“Have you anything to tell us?”

“What can I tell you?”

“Much, if you will; of that I am certain. This secret about Casca is in your keeping.”

“I wish he was,” replied the hunter evasively.

“ So do I, Maphir,” answered Zachra; “nothing would please me better.”

“If I could only once get hold of him, or any other man responsible for what the Prince has suffered, I would well feed him out of the same dish Glarces has fed from, before I allowed my dearest friend to know it.”

“And so far as I am concerned, you might continue so to feed him afterwards,” said Teresh, “and if I consent no other person has authority to interfere.”

“Then I only hope I may catch him.”

“Do you mean to say that no one has tried to visit the Prince since we found him?”

“No one has been to-day.”

“Perhaps not; but has no one been since we found him?” Maphir smiled, but did not reply.

“You have already told us so,” said Zachra. The hunter shook his head.

“I have never been asked that question before. When you left the lady Tasha here on that first night you did not ask me anything, but hoped I should not be surprised. Since then I have told you no one has come since you left.”

“And you had got the little fiend then?” asked the jubilant Zachra. “Where do you suppose Casca's two messages came from?”

“Is that your work?” asked Teresh, rejoicing at the light that was now breaking upon him.

“Well, Casca helped me. When I had him I had at once to make sure that Zillah should not escape. I thought the message to the Queen would secure that, but when I went to the palace I had another written on the Queen's own tablets if necessary, but I was satisfied, and brought that back again.”

“It was a clever move, and well carried out. But where is Casca?” “In the Prince's old quarters.”

“Not in the cave we found him in?” asked Zachra, with an incredulous smile.

“Just as near as I could bind him to the self-same spot.” “Oh, ye gods! This is too good! How does he like it?” “I don't know. I have not seen him yet.”

“Not seen him for three days?”

“No! Why should I disturb him?”

“Has he had nothing to eat?”

“I told him to help himself from his own provision for the Prince.” “Then you have killed him, man.”

“I hope not! Vermin ought to get fat in such a place. Will you see how he is?”

“Yes; I am responsible for the law, and I do not want you to get into trouble,” said Teresh.

“If I am allowed to avenge the Prince I am not particular about the consequences.”

“But there need be no consequences if I find him guilty.” “And will you leave me to deal with him afterwards?” “That I cannot say until I know whether he is guilty.” “But if he is?”

“Then your wish shall be granted.”

“That is enough.”

With this Maphir led the way past the Prince's apartments towards the distant dungeon, but when he reached the cave where the two slaves found lodging he stopped and said

“I think I had better bring him here. The place is not fit for human beings.”

The two friends remembered their former experience, and having no wish to repeat it, fell in with the suggestion. Maphir, attended by the slaves, went forward, a grim smile lighting his dusky face as he determined to hail Casca as he had greeted the Prince.

“Casca! Casca! The Queen is asking for you!”

“O-o-oh!” was the only wailing response.

“Casca! Are you dreaming? Ah! you ate too much supper.” “O-oh! Maphir! Mercy! Please have mercy!”

“So I will,” he answered, with mock compassion. “Does the light disturb your sleep?”

“Oh, Maphir, I am dying.”

“No, it is only a touch of nightmare. You have made your bed too easy and your food is too rich. I shall have to reduce your luxuries as you did with the Prince.”

“Don't mock and torture me. Kill me if you have any pity.”

“I have none. I am only a hunter, Casca. It is eunuchs of Queens and friends of Princes who have all the pity.”

“Take me out of this and kill me.”

“No, I shall not kill you, and Zhan would turn from your loathsome carcase in disgust. The only thing I can do is to leave you here till the devils find you!”

“Have you no pity?”

“I tell you - no! Not for you!” “Then I am dead!”

“You will find yourself a lively corpse before I finish with you. Come, getup!”

At this he severed the cord which bound the eunuch to the wall, and lifted the miserable wretch to his feet. He could not stand, so the hunter half­dragged, half-carried him into the adjoining chamber, where one of the slaves roughly scrubbed him with straw, to give what appearance of decency was possible under the circumstances before being introduced to his judges.

The friction rendered him able to crawl by the help of the cord and leathern belt by which Maphir still held him. But his pitiable and woe­begone appearance disarmed the malicious intent of Zachra, nor was the heart of Teresh proof against a touch of compassion. Maphir's first meed of justice had produced a terrible effect, and the unanticipated severity of it compelled both to forget for the moment that the victim was both designer and self-elected executor of the Prince's suffering.

Sympathies are oftentimes excited in spite of ourselves and rush to the aid of those who are unworthy of them. In this contrariety of action lies one of the psychological mysteries of our being. When he was found Glarces had been absent three months, during which time it was possible for almost any number of changes to have taken place in connection with him, hence there was a certain preparation even for the inhuman treatment he had received, so that, in the joy of his restoration, the shock consequent upon his condition was almost lost. But with Casca the case was different. The excitement occasioned by his disappearance was not yet over, his constitution was still waging a vigorous conflict with starvation, the pompous and bedraggled courtier was yet in stout revolt at his filthy environment, the traces of the palace were not yet buried beneath the abominations of the cell; between themselves and the appearance of their fellow associate they were able to mark the nature of the retribution which had overtaken him, and humanity sympathised, though their hearts were void of pity.

On the other hand, Maphir contemplated the result with composure and congratulation. His education had been in a ruder and far more severe school, where justice had no considerate temperings from sentiment, nor paused to take cognisance of class distinctions or degrees of sensitiveness. Men were men according to the hunter's standard, and if one was better than another he deserved the greater punishment - not consideration - if he sinned against the rights of his fellow. This was Maphir's rule of justice, in the administration of which he never for an instant lost sight of Glarces' punishment. He was only demanding that Casca should take back what he himself had given - who could grumble or object?

As for the ingrate who was called upon to eat the banquet he had provided, when brought into the presence of Teresh and Zachra, the desire for life naturally fired his hope, and on the strength of their former relationship to each other, he - willing to forget his own brutality - ventured to implore their assistance. Darting suddenly forward he threw himself at their feet, crying:

“Teresh-Zachra! Give me food! I die, I die!”

Maphir lifted him to his feet and drew him to a more welcome distance.

“Be quiet,” he said sternly. “You want no food. You have had all you brought for the Prince.”

“I did not bring him any,” whined the wretch. “It was not time.” “So much the worse for you. When it does come you shall have it.” “But there is no one to bring it. No one knows where I am.” “Nor cares either.”

He had certainly no hope of anything from Maphir, so he turned again to Teresh.

“Have pity on me! Save me!” he pleaded.

“Why do you appeal to me?” he asked. “ What right have you to expect help or pity who have been so merciless to your best and truest friend?”

“I know it - I feel it now, but - “

“If you feel it and repent of it, tell me what I want to know,” “Won't you give me some food first, I'm dying!”

“Be quiet,” cried Maphir, with a sharp jerk of the cord. “If you ask for food again I will take you back to bed.”

“No, no, not that - anything but that!”

“Who was it hatched the conspiracy to murder the Princess Vedrona?” asked Teresh.

“No one thought of such a thing.”

“Mind what you say. We are not disposed to be trifled with.”

“I am not doing so - I am too hungry. The gods know I am speaking the truth.”

“Oh, we know that,” Zachra assured him. “You never did tell a lie.” “What did you do then?”

“Lais was jealous about Glarces and wanted to take him away from the Princess.”

“How did she propose to do it?”

“She did not tell us till the day of the festival. Then I was to help her make Glarces drunk. Vedrona would go home tired. Lais would invite Glarces to see the girls from Ind, and put something Zillah had brought from Meshrac into a cup of wine.”

“From Meshrac! Is he in this too?”

“No! Zillah got it as for herself.”

“What for?”

“That I know not. Lais told me nothing more than she could help.” “Did she give him this drink?”

“Yes! But she says Zillah deceived her. Brought it too strong and it made Glarces mad. Oh! Teresh, do give me some food.”

“When Lais had secured the Prince what reward were you to have?” asked Teresh, ignoring the plea.

“I was to marry Vedrona.”

“What!” cried Maphir, snatching the eunuch from his feet as if he would dash him to pieces. “By all the spirits of the hunters, if you say that again it will be your last.”

“Let him speak, Maphir; we wish to hear all that was done. Did you think the Princess would consent to such a proposal?”

“Why not?” This was just a touch of the old vanity rising.

“That is very well asked, Casca,” answered Zachra. “Such a chance does not come to a miserable Princess every day. Why not, indeed! And, of course, you thought it could all be arranged.”

“Lais said so.”

“If she said so it was all right.”

“What more did Zillah do?”

“She told Lais all the Princess said, and persuaded her as Lais wished.” “You mean she was a spy for you?” asked Zachra.

“Not for me - for Lais.”

“And what reward was she to receive?”

“Her freedom.”

“When Vedrona was murdered you lost your reward.” “Yes,” very mournfully.

“Why did you not speak to the Council then?”

“Because Lais promised to marry me if Glarces did not live.” “This grows interesting,” remarked Zachra.

“Yes; I think the light begins to shine through,” replied Teresh. Then to Casca - “Who sent him here?”

“Lais asked me to find a place.”

“Did she say here?”

“No! She said anywhere - but did not want to know.” “Why?”

“So as not to tell a lie to the Council.”

“Did she want him to die?”

“No! She wanted him to return and marry her.”

“Why did she have him kept in such a condition, then?” “He had to be put there because he was so violent.” “Then he was not in this vile place from the first?” “No! He had two apartments in the golden caves.” “How long was he there?”

“Two moons.” He hesitated before answering this, but he had progressed so far to be hopeful, and spoke boldly when his mind was made up.

“The Prince says he was only there one night.”

“Have you seen him?” cried the wretch, aghast. “Is he not dead?”

“No! he is not dead, and has told us all. We were willing to hear and give you what chance was possible so long as you spoke the truth; but your lie has sealed your fate. You may go back to your place.”

“No, no! Kill me, but keep me away from there.”

“The Prince asked you to kill him, but you had no such pity. Go back!”

“No, no!” he yelled, hoarse with his trembling terror. “Not back to that hell! not to that hell!”

“Where is the pitcher I gave you?” asked Maphir of one of the slaves.

It was handed to him from a corner, and the contents poured over the struggling eunuch's head, completely drenching him. It was not a very tempting draught to judge by the smell, but it was liquid, and he did his best to moisten his parched throat as it passed his lips.

“Come along,” said the hunter when the operation was over, “ there are one or two more friends anxious to see how you are.”

“Not the Prince,” he cried.

“No, but Zhan and Zhade would like to - “ “No, no! ye gods - not the lions!”

But Maphir dragged him fighting and screaming into an adjoining cave, where he threw him as a log.

“What are you going to do?” asked Teresh.

“Give him a fright and my lions a bit of satisfaction.” “Are you going to turn them loose upon him.”

“Yes! But they will not touch anything with that stuff on. “Are you sure?”

“You need not be afraid.”

He blew a peculiar whistle, and in an instant the two brutes came bounding from the den. They followed him into the cave, and for a brief space - though to Casca in his terror it must have seemed an eternity - they snarled and snapped around the half-dead fellow while Maphir looked on smiling.

“Down!” he cried presently, and the lions were instantly at his feet. Then he lifted Casca and dragged him away.

“Help me! Teresh! Zachra! Help, help! Ye gods!” he wailed.

“I should advise you to look more to the devils,” replied Maphir.

It became evident now that he was not destined to return to the original cave, and the two councillors followed to see what the hunter proposed to do. But whatever happened they had no intention of interfering; the conduct of Casca merited no interposition.

At the edge of the chasm Maphir stopped and lifted the chamberlain to his feet.

“Have you anything more to say?” he asked. “Mercy! mercy!” he panted.

“You shall have it as you gave it to the Prince.”

“Let me go! Lais! Help! They are killing me!”

“What does Lais care for that? but you shall go directly.” “Help! Save me, ye gods!”

“Be quiet and hear me,” said Maphir, as he thrust and shook him over the abyss. “There are not gods, nor devils, nor men enough, if all their forces were joined together, to save you now. If hell has one place vile enough to afford you shelter I will send you to it! Now, are you ready?”

“No, no! Good Maphir, hear me!”