Page:Gaston Leroux--The bride of the sun.djvu/279

265 barbaric emblem with wide-open jaws, destined to frighten away all evil spirits.

Dick thought that Maria-Teresa was entering, but then saw that the litter borne on the shoulders of nobles was occupied by a figure which he did not at first recognize. His robe and sandals seemed of solid gold, and his ears were weighted down with enormous ear-rings, reaching almost to the shoulders. About his head was the royal llantu, a multi-colored turban of delicate tissue, and his forehead was further adorned by the kingly borla, the heavy scarlet and gold fringe of which partly hid his eyes. Two coraquenque plumes towered above the crown.

As he descended from his litter, aided by two pages, and slowly mounted the steps of the golden pyramid, the assembly bent to its knees. At the summit of the pyramid, he paused gravely, took his seat on the golden throne, and gave the Aïmara greeting:—"Dios anki tiourata." Then all rose to their feet, while he sat motionless, like a graven image.

"The bank-clerk!" exclaimed Dick, as he faced toward the hidden watchers.

They had before them Huayna Capac Runtu, King of the Incas.

"The god is seated in all his light!" chanted the assembly in unison, repeating the words three times. Then the wail of the quenias filled