Page:Gaston Leroux--The bride of the sun.djvu/310

296 …. When he stopped, it was before a low door…. He pushed it open, and there were father and Christobal…. While they were kissing me, Huascar went to the door.… He looked awful…. Then he said to father: 'Señor, I promised to return your son and daughter to you. Here they both are. You will find nothing to prevent your departure. An Inca, señor, never breaks his word.'… We have not seen him since… I had to tell you, Dick, so that if ever you meet that man again, you will know what we owe him."

At her last words, the young engineer shivered and pressed her hand.

"He need not be afraid. I remember what I owe him. He saved both you and us, dear, and I promised that if he saved you…."

"I know, I know! Father has told me…."

"He considered your promise an insult," interrupted the Marquis. "After my capture, they took me to the Island, and he came to see me in my dungeon. I thought my last hour had come, and did not spare him with my tongue. He let me finish, and then explained what he had done, his whole plan of action. When Maria-Teresa and Christobal were brought to me, the two Indians guarding my door, who were his absolute slaves, would take us both to the mainland in a pirogue. He told me, too, of your