Page:Kopal-Kundala.djvu/68

38 accomplish everything—then why should I flee? Where am I to flee to?"

Nobokumar was thus pondering, when he saw that the Kapálik had missed him and was returning. The Kapálik said, "Why are you delaying?" When a man is in doubt what to do, he goes wherever he happens to be first called. On the Kapálik calling a second time, Nobokumar followed him without a word.

Going some distance he saw a hut with a dead wall (you might call it a hut or a small house, but we need not concern ourselves with that). Behind it was the sandy beach of the sea. The Kapálik was taking Nobokumar past the hut to the shore, when like an arrow the woman he had seen before swiftly passed by his side, and whispered in his ear as she passed—"Flee, even now—don't you know that the Tantrik's worship consists of human flesh?"

The sweat came out on Nobokumar's brow. Unfortunately the Kapálik overheard these words, and said—"Kopal-Kundala!"

To Nobokumar the voice sounded like