Page:Gaston Leroux--The bride of the sun.djvu/81

Rh There was a flash in the Indian's eyes as he answered somberly:

"Yes, on leave, for the Interaymi."

Dick started at these words, already repeated so often in connection with the Golden Sun bracelet. He glanced at Maria-Teresa, who was evidently ill at ease at the turn taken by the conversation between her father and the stranger. She now remembered him quite clearly as a clerk with whom she had had dealings over a consignment of phosphates for Antwerp. An insignificant little body, she had thought—not at all the haughty Indian of to-day, discarding the disguise of his European clothes and proclaiming himself for what he was. Knowing by experience how susceptible Trujillos are, and fearing that a careless word from her father might provoke a storm, she intervened:

"The Interaymi! Of course, your great festival. Is it to be particularly celebrated at Cajamarca?"

"This year, señorita, it will be particularly celebrated throughout the Andes."

"But you do not admit outsiders? What a pity.... I should so like to see.... One hears so many things...."

"Old wives' tales, señorita," rejoined the Indian, with a complete change of manner. He smiled, disclosing a line of teeth which Dick