Far away something fell to the floor, a very light object,
such as flake of rock or a scale of gold. Yet the noise of it struck his
nerves loud as a clap of thunder, and those of Jeekie also, for he felt
him start at his side and heard the sudden hammerlike beat of his heart.
What was the woman doing in this dreadful place, he wondered. Well,
it was easy to guess. Doubtless she had brought them here to scare and
impress them. Presently a voice, that of some hidden priest, would speak
to them, and they would be asked to believe it a message from the spirit
world, or a spirit itself might be arranged--what could be easier in
their mood and these surroundings?
Now the Asika was speaking behind them in a muffled voice. From the tone
of it she appeared to be engaged in argument or supplication in some
strange tongue. At any rate Alan could not understand a word of what she
said. The argument, or prayer, went on for a long while, with pauses
as though for answers. Then suddenly it ceased and once more they were
plunged into that unfathomable silence.
CHAPTER XVI
WHAT THE ASIKA SHOWED ALAN
It seemed to Alan that he went to sleep and dreamed.
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