Page:Rowland--The Mountain of Fears.djvu/275

  painted?' I inquired, for I had heard some very somber stories of the bamboula.

"He hesitated for an instant, and in the pause my ear caught the click of Madame's little slipper tapping the floor to the time of the distant drum.

" 'It is primitive,' replied my host. 'A virile people do not forget in a day the customs of centuries.' He paused again, and, as before, I heard the click-click of Madame's slipper marking the beat of the drum.

" 'Perhaps Dr. Leyden is fatigued and would wish to retire,' she suggested. 'One rises early'

" 'Indeed,' I protested, 'I am accustomed to sleep but little, but pray do not let me keep you and Dr. Fouchère from your repose.' To tell the truth, the thought of lying on a bed and counting the strokes of that infernal drum was terrifying to me.

"There was another brief pause, but in the interval I heard Fouchère's fingers softly [ 259 ]