had spoken those words of cheer. Still again I was execrating Walla for her subtle power of fascination, calling her a fraud and cursing myself for a fool. But I had not told the Doctor what happened in the courtyard beneath the big tree, and I did not tell him now as I followed him into the temple, where we found old Padma waiting for us before the big Buddha, looking as patriarchal and serene as ever.
With his usual self-assurance Philpot began rattling away, assuming that patronizing manner which I had grown to dislike so much.
“Look here, George, I’ve been having a long talk with Padma,” he said as we passed through the temple. “As near as I can understand, this whole region is undermined with vast caverns; we are to pass through these caverns by some means which I can’t make out and are to fetch up at another lamasery close to Lh’asa. You see I’ve been busy while you’ve been moping about.”
“It makes no difference to me where we go,” I replied, “providing we take Maurice’s body with us. Without that I shall not stir.”
“Oh that will be all right. I spoke to Padma, and he seemed surprised that there should be any question about it. If it is any comfort to you to know it, he scouts the idea of Maurice being dead; says he is as sure to come back as the sun is to rise.”
“I shall fulfill my promise in any event,” I replied. “So long as Maurice’s body remains as those other bodies are down there, I shall never leave it, even if it costs me my life.”
“Well, by Jove! You’re a friend worth having; but—wait! Padma wants to speak.”
What was the old priest saying? I would have given anything to have been able to understand.
As it was I could only follow them down into the underground chamber again, where we found Walla beside Maurice, a sight which aroused feelings amounting almost to jealous hatred within me. She could stay there where I felt that I ought to stay; yet to save me I could not do it, for to stand gazing at those still, white features drove me almost mad.
There was no change in the appearance of the face. I took one good look at it as I passed the altar, following Padma over to the side of the chamber opposite to the stone drawers containing the alleged planetary corpses.
