Page:Doughty--Mirrikh or A woman from Mars.djvu/182

 a much higher temperature and every appearance of rain.

Meanwhile the lamas seemed to have recovered from their fright and were hurrying hither and thither with great  bags on their backs, popping in at one door and out at  another. They were carrying the treasures of the lamasery into an underground vault, with the hope that after the  flood subsided they could return and claim them. Already the temple was stripped of its magnificence. I had seen all this going on when last I descended to the chamber where  the body of my poor friend lay.

“I think I shall stay here and smoke a pipe,” said the Doctor. “I wish to watch the progress of this affair, beside which I have an appointment with Padma. He promised to return in an hour and fully explain the means by which  we are to escape.”

“Stay by all means,” I replied. “I shall descend again and try to find Walla. It is very singular what has become of the girl.”

We had inquired for her, of course, but could get no satisfaction; before ascending the tower stairs I dispatched Ah Schow to look her up, and now, when I came out into  the courtyard, I saw her standing beneath the big tree with  a face so white that my heart melted. I hurried forward and seized her hand.

“So you have come at last!” I exclaimed. “Where have you been? We have looked everywhere for you.”

She stared dully.

“I have been with him,” she answered. “I saw you, but you did not see me.”

“Do you mean with Maurice? Surely you were not in the underground chamber?”

“Yes.”

“But where?”

“I was on the other side of the altar, upon the floor. Oh, my friend, tell me—what does it all mean?”

“Why, don’t you comprehend it yet?” I said rather testily. “There is a flood; the water”

“Of course I understand that. It is not of that I am speaking, I mean about him.”

“Maurice?”

“Yes. Tell me—why did they kill him? I cannot understand.”

How dull she seemed. How strangely she spoke. As if