Thecreaturestoodabouttheheightofanaveragemanbutappearedmuchtallerfromthefactthatthejointsofhislongwingsrosefullyafootabovehishairlesshead。Thebarearmswerelongandsinewy，endinginstrong，bonyhandswithclawlikefingers——almosttalonlikeintheirsuggestiveness。Thewhiterobewasseparatedinfront，revealingskinnylegsandthefurtherfactthatthethingworebutthesinglegarment，whichwasoffine，wovencloth。Fromcrowntosoletheportionsofthebodyexposedwereentirelyhairless，andashenotedthis，Bradleyalsonotedforthefirsttimethecauseofmuchoftheseemingexpressionlessnessofthecreature’scountenance——ithadneithereye-browsorlashes。Theearsweresmallandrestedflatagainsttheskull，whichwasnoticeablyround，thoughthefacewasquiteflat。Thecreaturehadsmallfeet，beautifullyarchedandplump，butsooutofkeepingwitheveryotherphysicalattributeitpossessedastoappearridiculous。
　　AftereyeingBradleyforamomentthethingapproachedhim。
　　"Wherefrom？"itasked。
　　"England，"repliedBradley，asbriefly。
　　"WhereisEnglandandwhat？"pursuedthequestioner。
　　"Itisacountryfarfromhere，"answeredtheEnglishman。
　　"Areyourpeoplecor-sva-joorcos-ata-lu？"
　　"Idonotunderstandyou，"saidBradley;"andnowsupposeyouanswerafewquestions。Whoareyou？Whatcountryisthis？
　　Whydidyoubringmehere？"
　　Againthesepulchralgrimace。"WeareWieroos——Luataisourfather。
　　Caspakisours。This，ourcountry，iscalledOo-oh。Webroughtyouherefor（literally）HimWhoSpeaksforLuatatogazeuponandquestion。Hewouldknowfromwhenceyoucameandwhy;butprincipallyifyoubecos-ata-lu。"
　　"AndifIamnotcos——whateveryoucallthebloomin’beast——
　　whatofit？"
　　TheWierooraisedhiswingsinaveryhumanshrugandwavedhisbonyclawstowardthehumanskullssupportingtheceiling。
　　Hisgesturewaseloquent;butheembellisheditbyremarking，"Andpossiblyifyouare。"
　　"I’mhungry，"snappedBradley。
　　TheWieroomotionedhimtooneofthedoorswhichhethrewopen，permittingBradleytopassoutontoanotherroofonalevellowerthanthatuponwhichtheyhadlandedearlierinthemorning。
　　Bydaylightthecityappearedevenmoreremarkablethaninthemoonlight，thoughlessweirdandunreal。Thehousesofallshapesandsizeswerepiledaboutasachildmightpileblocksofvariousformsandcolors。Hesawnowthattherewerewhatmightbecalledstreetsoralleys，buttheyraninbafflingturnsandtwists，noreverreachedadestination，alwaysendinginadeadwallwheresomeWieroohadbuiltahouseacrossthem。
　　Uponeachhousewasaslendercolumnsupportingahumanskull。
　　Sometimesthecolumnswereatonecorneroftheroof，sometimesatanother，oragaintheyrosefromthecenterornearthecenter，andthecolumnswereofvaryingheights，fromthatofamantothosewhichrosetwentyfeetabovetheirroofs。
　　Theskullswere，asarule，painted——blueorwhite，orincombinationsofbothcolors。Themosteffectivewerepaintedbluewiththeteethwhiteandtheeye-socketsrimmedwithwhite。
　　Therewereotherskulls——thousandsofthem——tens，hundredsofthousands。Theyrimmedtheeavesofeveryhouse，theyweresetintheplasteroftheouterwallsandatnogreatdistancefromwhereBradleystoodrosearoundtowerbuiltentirelyofhumanskulls。AndthecityextendedineverydirectionasfarastheEnglishmancouldsee。
　　AllabouthimWieroosweremovingacrosstheroofsorwingingthroughtheair。Thesadsoundoftheirflappingwingsroseandfelllikeasolemndirge。Mostofthemwereappareledallinwhite，likehiscaptors;butothershadmarkingsofredorblueoryellowslashedacrossthefrontoftheirrobes。
　　Hisguidepointedtowardadoorwayinanalleybelowthem。
　　"Gothereandeat，"hecommanded，"andthencomeback。
　　Youcannotescape。Ifanyquestionyou，saythatyoubelongtoFosh-bal-soj。Thereistheway。"Andthistimehepointedtothetopofaladderwhichprotrudedabovetheeavesoftheroofnear-by。Thenheturnedandreenteredthehouse。
　　Bradleylookedabouthim。No，hecouldnotescape——thatseemedevident。Thecityappearedinterminable，andbeyondthecity，ifnotasavagewildernessfilledwithwildbeasts，therewasthebroadinlandseainfestedwithhorridmonsters。NowonderhiscaptorfeltsafeinturninghimlooseinOo-oh——hewonderedifthatwasthenameofthecountryorthecityandiftherewereothercitieslikethisupontheisland。
　　Slowlyhedescendedtheladdertotheseeminglydesertedalleywhichwaspavedwithwhatappearedtobelarge，roundcobblestones。
　　Helookedagainatthesmooth，wornpavement，andaruefulgrincrossedhisfeatures——thealleywaspavedwithskulls。"TheCityofHumanSkulls，"musedBradley。"Theymusthavebeencollectin’
　　’emsinceAdam，"hethought，andthenhecrossedandenteredthebuildingthroughthedoorwaythathadbeenpointedouttohim。
　　InsidehefoundalargeroominwhichweremanyWieroosseatedbeforepedestalsthetopsofwhichwerehollowedoutsothattheyresembledtheordinarybirddrinking-andbathing-fontssocommonlyseenonsuburbanlawns。Aseatprotrudedfromeachofthefoursidesofthepedestals——justaflatboardwithasupportrunningfromitsouterenddiagonallytothebaseofthepedestal。
　　AsBradleyentered，someoftheWieroosespiedhim，andadismalwailarose。Whetheritwasagreetingorathreat，Bradleydidnotknow。SuddenlyfromadarkalcoveanotherWieroorushedouttowardhim。"Whoareyou？"hecried。"Whatdoyouwant？"
　　"Fosh-bal-sojsentmeheretoeat，"repliedBradley。
　　"DoyoubelongtoFosh-bal-soj？"askedtheother。
　　"Thatappearstobewhathethinks，"answeredtheEnglishman。
　　"Areyoucos-ata-lu？"demandedtheWieroo。
　　"GivemesomethingtoeatorI’llbeallofthat，"repliedBradley。
　　TheWieroolookedpuzzled。"Sithere，jaal-lu，"hesnapped，andBradleysatdownunconsciousofthefactthathehadbeeninsultedbybeingcalledahyena-man，anappellationofcontemptinCaspak。
　　TheWieroohadseatedhimatapedestalbyhimself，andashesatwaitingforwhatwasnexttotranspire，helookedabouthimattheWierooinhisimmediatevicinity。Hesawthatineachfontwasaquantityoffood，andthateachWieroowasarmedwithawoodenskewer，sharpenedatoneend;withwhichtheycarriedsolidportionsoffoodtotheirmouths。Attheotherendoftheskewerwasfastenedasmallclam-shell。Thiswasusedtoscoopupthesmallerandsofterportionsoftherepastintowhichallfouroftheoccupantsofeachtabledippedimpartially。TheWierooleanedfarovertheirfood，scoopingituprapidlyandwithmuchnoise，andsogreatwastheirhastethatapartofeachmouthfulalwaysfellbackintothecommondish;andwhentheychoked，byreasonoftherapiditywithwhichtheyattemptedtobolttheirfood，theyoftenlostitall。Bradleywasgladthathehadapedestalalltohimself。
　　Soonthekeeperoftheplacereturnedwithawoodenbowlfilledwithfood。ThishedumpedintoBradley’s"trough，"ashealreadythoughtofit。TheEnglishmanwasgladthathecouldnotseeintothedarkalcoveorknowwhatwerealltheingredientsthatconstitutedthemessbeforehim，forhewasveryhungry。
　　Afterthefirstmouthfulhecaredevenlesstoinvestigatetheantecedentsofthedish，forhefounditpeculiarlypalatable。
　　Itseemedtoconsistofacombinationofmeat，fruits，vegetables，smallfishandotherundistinguishablearticlesoffoodallseasonedtoproduceagastronomiceffectthatwasatoncebafflinganddelicious。
　　Whenhehadfinished，histroughwasempty，andthenhecommencedtowonderwhowastosettleforhismeal。Ashewaitedfortheproprietortoreturn，hefelltoexaminingthedishfromwhichhehadeatenandthepedestaluponwhichitrested。Thefontwasofstonewornsmoothbylong-continueduse，thefourouteredgeshollowedandpolishedbythecontactofthecountlessWieroobodiesthathadleanedagainstthemforhowlongaperiodoftimeBradleycouldnotevenguess。Everythingabouttheplacecarriedtheimpressionofhoaryage。Thecarvedpedestalswereblackwithuse，thewoodenseatswerewornhollow，thefloorofstoneslabswaspolishedbythecontactofpossiblymillionsofnakedfeetandwornawayintheaislesbetweenthepedestalssothatthelatterresteduponlittlemoundsofstoneseveralinchesabovethegenerallevelofthefloor。
　　Finally，seeingthatnoonecametocollect，Bradleyaroseandstartedforthedoorway。Hehadcoveredhalfthedistancewhenheheardthevoiceofminehostcallingtohim："Comeback，jaal-lu，"screamedtheWieroo;andBradleydidashewasbid。
　　Asheapproachedthecreaturewhichstoodnowbehindalarge，flat-toppedpedestalbesidethealcove，hesawlyinguponthesmoothsurfacesomethingthatalmostelicitedagaspofastonishmentfromhim——asimple，commonthingitwas，orwouldhavebeenalmostanywhereintheworldbutCaspak——asquarebitofpaper！
　　Andonit，inafinehand，writtencompactly，weremanystrangehieroglyphics！Theseremarkablecreatures，then，hadawrittenaswellasaspokenlanguageandbesidestheartofweavingclothpossessedthatofpaper-making。CoulditbethatsuchgrotesquebeingsrepresentedthehighcultureofthehumanracewithintheboundariesofCaspak？HadnaturalselectionproducedduringthecountlessagesofCaspakianlifeawingedmonstrositythatrepresentedtheearthlypinnacleofman’sevolution？
　　BradleyhadnotedsomethingoftheobviousindicationsofagradualevolutionfromapetospearmanasexemplifiedbytheseveraloverlappingracesofAlalus，club-menandhatchet-menthatformedtheconnectinglinksbetweenthetwoextremeswithwhichhe，hadcomeincontact。HehadheardoftheKrolusandtheGalus——reputedtobestillhigherintheplaneofevolution——
　　andnowhehadindisputableevidenceofaracepossessingrefinementsofcivilizationeonsinadvanceofthespear-men。
　　Theconjecturesawakenedbyevenamomentaryconsiderationofthepossibilitiesinvolvedbecameatonceaswildlybizarreastheinsaneimagingsofadrugaddict。
　　Asthesethoughtsflashedthroughhismind，theWierooheldoutapenofbonefixedtoawoodenholderandatthesametimemadeasignthatBradleywastowriteuponthepaper。ItwasdifficulttojudgefromtheexpressionlessfeaturesoftheWieroowhatwaspassinginthecreature’smind，butBradleycouldnotbutfeelthatthethingcastasuperciliousglanceuponhimasmuchastosay，"Ofcourseyoudonotknowhowtowrite，youpoor，lowcreature;butyoucanmakeyourmark。"
　　Bradleyseizedthepenandinaclear，boldhandwrote："JohnBradley，England。"TheWierooshowedevidencesofconsternationasitseizedthepieceofpaperandexaminedthewritingwitheverymarkofincredulityandsurprise。Ofcourseitcouldmakenothingofthestrangecharacters;butitevidentlyacceptedthemasproofthatBradleypossessedknowledgeofawrittenlanguageofhisown，forfollowingtheEnglishman’sentryitmadeafewcharactersofitsown。
　　"YouwillcomehereagainjustbeforeLuahideshisfacebehindthegreatcliff，"announcedthecreature，"unlessbeforethatyouaresummonedbyHimWhoSpeaksforLuata，inwhichcaseyouwillnothavetoeatanymore。"
　　"Reassuringcuss，"thoughtBradleyasheturnedandleftthebuilding。
　　OutsidewereseveralWieroosthathadbeeneatingatthepedestalswithin。Theyimmediatelysurroundedhim，askingallsortsofquestions，pluckingathisgarments，hisammunition-beltandhispistol。Theirdemeanorwasentirelydifferentfromwhatithadbeenwithintheeating-placeandBradleywastolearnthatahouseoffoodwassanctuaryforhim，sincethesternlawsoftheWieroosforbadealtercationswithinsuchwalls。Nowtheywereroughandthreatening，aswithwingshalfspreadtheyhoveredabouthiminmenacingattitudes，barringhiswaytotheladderleadingtotherooffromwhencehehaddescended;buttheEnglishmanwasnotonetobrookinterferenceforlong。Heattemptedatfirsttopushhiswaypastthem，andthenwhenoneseizedhisarmandjerkedhimroughlyback，Bradleyswunguponthecreatureandwithaheavyblowtothejawfelledit。
　　Instantlypandemoniumreigned。Loudwailsarose，greatwingsopenedandclosedwithaloud，beatingnoiseandmanyclawlikehandsreachedforthtoclutchhim。Bradleystrucktorightandleft。Hedarednotusehispistolforfearthatoncetheydiscovereditspowerhewouldbeovercomebyweightofnumbersandrelievedofpossessionofwhatheconsideredhistrumpcard，tobereserveduntilthelastmomentthatitmightbeusedtoaidinhisescape，foralreadytheEnglishmanwasplanning，thoughalmosthopelessly，suchanattempt。
　　AfewblowsconvincedBradleythattheWierooswerearrantcowardsandthattheyborenoweapons，foraftertwoorthreehadfallenbeneathhisfiststheothersformedacircleabouthim，butatasafedistanceandcontentedthemselveswiththreateningandblustering，whilethosewhomhehadfelledlayuponthepavementwithouttryingtoarise，thewhiletheymoanedandwailedinlugubriouschorus。
　　AgainBradleystrodetowardtheladder，andthistimethecirclepartedbeforehim;butnosoonerhadheascendedafewrungsthanhewasseizedbyonefootandaneffortmadetodraghimdown。
　　WithaquickbackwardglancetheEnglishman，clingingfirmlytotheladderwithbothhands，drewuphisfreefootandwithallthestrengthofapowerfulleg，plantedaheavyshoesquarelyintheflatfaceoftheWieroothatheldhim。Shriekinghorribly，thecreatureclappedbothhandstoitsfaceandsanktothegroundwhileBradleyclamberedquicklytheremainingdistancetotheroof，thoughnosoonerdidhereachthetopoftheladderthanagreatflappingofwingsbeneathhimwarnedhimthattheWierooswererisingafterhim。Amomentlatertheyswarmedabouthisheadasheranfortheapartmentinwhichhehadspenttheearlyhoursofthemorningafterhisarrival。
　　Itwasbutashortdistancefromthetopoftheladdertothedoorway，andBradleyhadalmostreachedhisgoalwhenthedoorflewopenandFosh-bal-sojsteppedout。ImmediatelythepursuingWieroosdemandedpunishmentofthejaal-luwhohadsogrievouslymaltreatedthem。Fosh-bal-sojlistenedtotheircomplaintsandthenwithasuddensweepofhisrighthandseizedBradleybythescruffoftheneckandhurledhimsprawlingthroughthedoorwayuponthefloorofthechamber。
　　SosuddenwastheassaultandsosurprisingthestrengthoftheWieroothattheEnglishmanwastakencompletelyoffhisguard。
　　Whenhearose，thedoorwasclosed，andFosh-bal-sojwasstandingoverhim，hishideousfacecontortedintoanexpressionofrageandhatred。
　　"Hyena，snake，lizard！"hescreamed。"Youwoulddarelayyourlow，vile，profaninghandsuponeventhelowliestoftheWieroos——
　　thesacredchosenofLuata！"
　　Bradleywasmad，andsohespokeinaverylow，calmvoicewhileahalf-smileplayedacrosshislipsbuthiscold，grayeyeswereunsmiling。
　　"Whatyoudidtomejustnow，"hesaid，"——Iamgoingtokillyouforthat，"andevenashespoke，helaunchedhimselfatthethroatofFosh-bal-soj。TheotherWieroothathadbeenasleepwhenBradleyleftthechamberhaddeparted，andthetwowerealone。
　　Fosh-bal-sojdisplayedlittleofthecowardiceofthosethathadattackedBradleyinthealleyway，butthatmayhavebeenbecausehehadsoslightopportunity，forBradleyhadhimbythethroatbeforehecouldutteracryandwithhisrighthandstruckhimheavilyandrepeatedlyuponhisfaceandoverhisheart——ugly，smashing，short-armjabsofthesortthattakethefightoutofamaninquicktime。
　　ButFosh-bal-sojwasofnomindtodiepassively。HeclawedandstruckatBradleywhilewithhisgreatwingsheattemptedtoshieldhimselffromthemercilessrainofblows，atthesametimesearchingforaholduponhisantagonist’sthroat。PresentlyhesucceededintrippingtheEnglishman，andtogetherthetwofellheavilytothefloor，Bradleyunderneath，andatthesameinstanttheWieroofastenedhislongtalonsabouttheother’swindpipe。
　　Fosh-bal-sojwaspossessedofenormousstrengthandhewasfightingforhislife。TheEnglishmansoonrealizedthatthebattlewasgoingagainsthim。Alreadyhislungswerepoundingpainfullyforairashereachedforhispistol。Itwaswithdifficultythathedrewitfromitsholster，andeventhen，withdeathstaringhimintheface，hethoughtofhispreciousammunition。
　　"Can’twasteit，"hethought;andslippinghisfingerstothebarrelheraisedtheweaponandstruckFosh-bal-sojaterrificblowbetweentheeyes。Instantlytheclawlikefingersreleasedtheirhold，andthecreaturesanklimplytothefloorbesideBradley，wholayforseveralminutesgaspingpainfullyinanefforttoregainhisbreath。
　　Whenhewasable，herose，andleanedcloseovertheWieroo，lyingsilentandmotionless，hiswingsdroppinglimplyandhisgreat，roundeyesstaringblanklytowardtheceiling。AbriefexaminationconvincedBradleythatthethingwasdead，andwiththeconvictioncameanoverwhelmingsenseofthedangerswhichmustnowconfronthim;buthowwashetoescape？
　　Hisfirstthoughtwastofindsomemeansforconcealingtheevidenceofhisdeedandthentomakeaboldefforttoescape。
　　Steppingtotheseconddoorhepusheditgentlyopenandpeeredinuponwhatseemedtobeastoreroom。InitwasalitterofclothsuchastheWieroos’robeswerefashionedfrom，anumberofchestspaintedblueandwhite，withwhitehieroglyphicspaintedinboldstrokesupontheblueandbluehieroglyphicsuponthewhite。InonecornerwasapileofhumanskullsreachingalmosttotheceilingandinanotherastackofdriedWieroowings。
　　Thechamberwasasirregularlyshapedastheotherandhadbutasinglewindowandaseconddooratthefurtherend，butwaswithouttheexitthroughtheroofand，mostimportantofall，therewasnocreatureofanysortinit。
　　AsquicklyaspossibleBradleydraggedthedeadWieroothroughthedoorwayandclosedthedoor;thenhelookedaboutforaplacetoconcealthecorpse。Oneofthechestswaslargeenoughtoholdthebodyifthekneeswerebentwellup，andwiththisideainviewBradleyapproachedthechesttoopenit。Thelidwasmadeintwopieces，eachbeinghingedatanoppositeendofthechestandjoiningnicelywheretheymetinthecenterofthechest，makingasnug，well-fittingjoint。Therewasnolock。
　　Bradleyraisedonehalfthecoverandlookedin。Withasmothered"ByJove！"hebentclosertoexaminethecontents——thechestwasabouthalffilledwithanassortmentofgoldentrinkets。
　　Therewerewhatappearedtobebracelets，ankletsandbroochesofvirgingold。
　　RealizingthattherewasnoroominthechestforthebodyoftheWieroo，Bradleyturnedtoseekanothermeansofconcealingtheevidenceofhiscrime。Therewasaspacebetweenthechestsandthewall，andintothisheforcedthecorpse，pilingthediscardedrobesuponituntilitwasentirelyhiddenfromsight;
　　butnowhowwashetomakegoodhisescapeinthebrightglareofthatearlySpringday？
　　Hewalkedtothedooratthefarendoftheapartmentandcautiouslyopeneditaninch。Beforehimandabouttwofeetawaywastheblankwallofanotherbuilding。Bradleyopenedthedooralittlefartherandlookedinbothdirections。Therewasnooneinsighttotheleftoveraconsiderableexpanseofroof-top，andtotherightanotherbuildingshutoffhislineofvisionatabouttwentyfeet。Slippingout，heturnedtotherightandinafewstepsfoundanarrowpassagewaybetweentwobuildings。
　　TurningintothishepassedabouthalfitslengthwhenhesawaWierooappearattheoppositeendandhalt。Thecreaturewasnotlookingdownthepassageway;butatanymomentitmightturnitseyestowardhim，whenhewouldbeimmediatelydiscovered。
　　ToBradley’sleftwasatriangularnicheinthewallofoneofthehousesandintothishedodged，thusconcealinghimselffromthesightoftheWieroo。BesidehimwasadoorpaintedavividyellowandconstructedafterthesamefashionastheotherWieroodoorshehadseen，beingmadeupofcountlessnarrowstripsofwoodfromfourtosixinchesinlengthlaidoninpatchesofaboutthesamewidth，thestripsinadjacentpatchesneverrunninginthesamedirection。Theresultboresomeresemblancetoacrazypatchworkquilt，whichwasheightenedwhen，asinoneofthedoorshehadseen，contiguouspatcheswerepainteddifferentcolors。Thestripsappearedtohavebeenboundtogetherandtotheunderlyingframeworkofthedoorwithgutorfiberandalsoglued，afterwhichathickcoatingofpainthadbeenapplied。Oneedgeofthedoorwasformedofastraight，roundpoleabouttwoinchesindiameterthatprotrudedattopandbottom，theprojectionssettinginroundholesinbothlintelandsillformingtheaxisuponwhichthedoorswung。Aneccentricdiskupontheinsidefaceofthedoorengagedaslotintheframewhenitwasdesiredtosecurethedooragainstintruders。
　　AsBradleystoodflattenedagainstthewallwaitingfortheWierootomoveon，heheardthecreature’swingsbrushingagainstthesidesofthebuildingsasitmadeitswaydownthenarrowpassageinhisdirection。Astheyellowdoorofferedtheonlymeansofescapewithoutdetection，theEnglishmandecidedtoriskwhatevermightliebeyondit，andso，boldlypushingitin，hecrossedthethresholdandenteredasmallapartment。
　　Ashedidso，heheardamuffledejaculationofsurprise，andturninghiseyesinthedirectionfromwhencethesoundhadcome，hebeheldawide-eyedgirlstandingflattenedagainsttheoppositewall，anexpressionofincredulityuponherface。AtaglancehesawthatshewasofnoraceofhumansthathehadcomeincontactwithsincehisarrivaluponCaprona——therewasnotraceaboutherformorfeaturesofanyrelationshiptothoselowordersofmen，norwassheappareledasthey——or，rather，shedidnotentirelylackapparelasdidmostofthem。
　　Asofthidefellfromherleftshouldertojustbelowherlefthipononesideandalmosttoherrightkneeontheother，aloosegirdlewasaboutherwaist，andgoldenornamentssuchashehadseenintheblue-and-whitechestencircledherarmsandlegs，whileagoldenfilletwithatriangulardiademboundherheavyhairaboveherbrows。Herskinwaswhiteasfromlongconfinementwithindoors;butitwasclearandfine。Herfigure，butpartiallyconcealedbythesoftdeerskin，wasallcurvesofsymmetryandyouthfulgrace，whileherfeaturesmighteasilyhavebeentheenvyofthemostfetedofContinentalbeauties。
　　IfthegirlwassurprisedbythesuddenappearanceofBradley，thelatterwasabsolutelyastoundedtodiscoversowondrousacreatureamongthehideousinhabitantsoftheCityofHumanSkulls。Foramomentthetwolookedatoneanotherinunconcealedconsternation，andthenBradleyspoke，usingtothebestofhispoorability，thecommontongueofCaspak。
　　"Whoareyou，"heasked，"andfromwheredoyoucome？DonottellmethatyouareaWieroo。"
　　"No，"shereplied，"IamnoWieroo。"Andsheshudderedslightlyasshepronouncedtheword。"IamaGalu;butwhoandwhatareyou？
　　IamsurethatyouarenoGalu，fromyourgarments;butyouareliketheGalusinotherrespects。Iknowthatyouarenotofthisfrightfulcity，forIhavebeenhereforalmosttenmoons，andneverhaveIseenamaleGalubroughthitherbefore，noraretheresuchasyouandI，otherthanprisonersinthelandofOo-oh，andtheseareallfemales。Areyouaprisoner，then？"
　　Hetoldherbrieflywhoandwhathewas，thoughhedoubtedifsheunderstood，andfromherhelearnedthatshehadbeenaprisonerthereformanymonths;butforwhatpurposehedidnotthenlearn，asinthemidstoftheirconversationtheyellowdoorswungopenandaWieroowitharobeslashedwithyellowentered。
　　AtsightofBradleythecreaturebecamefurious。"Whencecamethisreptile？"itdemandedofthegirl。"Howlonghasitbeenherewithyou？"
　　"Itcamethroughthedoorwayjustaheadofyou，"Bradleyansweredforthegirl。
　　TheWieroolookedrelieved。"Itiswellforthegirlthatthisisso，"itsaid，"fornowonlyyouwillhavetodie。"
　　Andsteppingtothedoorthecreatureraiseditsvoiceinoneofthoseuncanny，depressingwails。
　　TheEnglishmanlookedtowardthegirl。"ShallIkillit？"heasked，halfdrawinghispistol。"Whatisbesttodo？——Idonotwishtoendangeryou。"
　　TheWieroobackedtowardthedoor。"Defiler！"itscreamed。
　　"YoudaretothreatenoneofthesacredchosenofLuata！"
　　"Donotkillhim，"criedthegirl，"forthentherecouldbenohopeforyou。Thatyouarehere，alive，showsthattheymaynotintendtokillyouatall，andsothereisachanceforyouifyoudonotangerthem;buttouchhiminviolenceandyourbleachedskullwilltoptheloftiestpedestalofOo-oh。"
　　"Andwhatofyou？"askedBradley。
　　"Iamalreadydoomed，"repliedthegirl;"Iamcos-ata-lo。"
　　"Cos-ata-lo！cos-ata-lu！"WhatdidthesephrasesmeanthattheyweresooftrepeatedbythedenizensofOo-oh？Luandlo，Bradleyknewtomeanmanandwoman;ata;wasemployedvariouslytoindicatelife，eggs，young，reproductionandkindredsubject;coswasanegative;butincombinationtheyweremeaninglesstotheEuropean。
　　"Doyoumeantheywillkillyou？"askedBradley。
　　"Ibutwishthattheywould，"repliedthegirl。"Myfateistobeworsethandeath——injustafewnightsmore，withthecomingofthenewmoon。"
　　"Poorshe-snake！"snappedtheWieroo。"Youaretobecomesacredaboveallothershes。HeWhoSpeaksforLuatahaschosenyouforhimself。Todayyougotohistemple——"theWieroousedaphrasemeaningliterallyHighPlace——"whereyouwillreceivethesacredcommands。"
　　ThegirlshudderedandcastasorrowfulglancetowardBradley。
　　"Ah，"shesighed，"ifIcouldbutseemybelovedcountryonceagain！"
　　ThemansteppedsuddenlyclosetohersidebeforetheWieroocouldinterposeandinalowvoiceaskedheriftherewasnowaybywhichhemightencompassherescape。Sheshookherheadsorrowfully。"Evenifweescapedthecity，"shereplied，"thereisthebigwaterbetweentheislandofOo-ohandtheGalushore。"
　　"Andwhatisbeyondthecity，ifwecouldleaveit？"pursuedBradley。
　　"ImayonlyguessfromwhatIhaveheardsinceIwasbroughthere，"sheanswered;"butbyreportsandchanceremarksItakeittobeabeautifullandinwhichtherearebutfewwildbeastsandnomen，foronlytheWieroosliveuponthisislandandtheydwellalwaysincitiesofwhichtherearethree，thisbeingthelargest。
　　Theothersareatthefarendoftheisland，whichisaboutthreemarchesfromendtoendandatitswidestpointaboutonemarch。"
　　Fromhisownexperienceandfromwhatthenativesonthemainlandhadtoldhim，Bradleyknewthattenmileswasagoodday’smarchinCaspak，owingtothefactthatatmostpointsitwasatracklesswildernessandatalltimestravelerswerebesetbyhideousbeastsandreptilesthatgreatlyimpededrapidprogress。
　　ThetwohadspokenrapidlybutwerenowinterruptedbytheadventthroughtheopeningintheroofofseveralWierooswhohadcomeinanswertothealarmitoftheyellowslashinghaduttered。
　　"Thisjaal-lu，"criedtheoffendedone，"hasthreatenedme。
　　TakeitshatchetfromitandmakeitfastwhereitcandonoharmuntilHeWhoSpeaksforLuatahassaidwhatshallbedonewithit。ItisoneofthosestrangecreaturesthatFosh-bal-sojdiscoveredfirstabovetheBand-lucountryandfollowedbacktowardthebeginning。HeWhoSpeaksforLuatasentFosh-bal-sojtofetchhimoneofthecreatures，andhereitis。Itishopedthatitmaybefromanotherworldandholdthesecretofthecos-ata-lus。"
　　TheWieroosapproachedboldlytotakeBradley’s"hatchet"fromhim，theirleaderhavingindicatedthepistolhanginginitsholsterattheEnglishman’ship，butthefirstonewentreelingbackwardagainsthisfellowsfromtheblowtothechinwhichBradleyfollowedupwitharushandtheintentiontocleanuptheroominrecordtime;buthehadreckonedwithouttheopeningintheroof。Twoweredownandagreatwailingandmoaningwasarisingwhenreinforcementsappearedfromabove。Bradleydidnotseethem;butthegirldid，andthoughshecriedoutawarning，itcametoolateforhimtoavoidalargeWieroowhodivedheadforemostforhim，strikinghimbetweentheshouldersandbearinghimtothefloor。Instantlyadozenmorewerepilingontopofhim。Hispistolwaswrenchedfromitsholsterandhewassecurelypinioneddownbytheweightofnumbers。
　　AtawordfromtheWieroooftheyellowslashingwhoevidentlywasapersonofauthority，oneleftandpresentlyreturnedwithfiberropeswithwhichBradleywastightlybound。
　　"NowbearhimtotheBluePlaceofSevenSkulls，"directedthechiefWieroo，"andonetakethewordofallthathaspassedtoHimWhoSpeaksforLuata。"
　　Eachofthecreaturesraisedahand，thebackagainstitsface，asthoughinsalute。OneseizedBradleyandcarriedhimthroughtheyellowdoorwaytotherooffromwhenceitroseuponitswide-spreadwingsandflappedoffacrosstheroof-topsofOo-ohwithitsheavyburdenclutchedinitslongtalons。
　　BelowhimBradleycouldseethecitystretchingawaytoadistanceoneveryhand。Itwasnotaslargeashehadimagined，thoughhejudgedthatitwasatleastthreemilessquare。
　　Thehouseswerepiledinindescribableheaps，sometimestoaheightofahundredfeet。Thestreetsandalleyswereshortandcrookedandthereweremanyareaswherebuildingshadbeenwedgedinsocloselythatnolightcouldpossiblyreachthelowesttiers，theentiresurfaceofthegroundbeingpackedsolidlywiththem。
　　Thecolorswerevariedandstartling，thearchitectureamazing。
　　Manyroofswerecuporsaucer-shapedwithasmallholeinthecenterofeach，asthoughtheyhadbeenconstructedtocatchrain-waterandconductittoareservoirbeneath;butnearlyalltheothershadthelargeopeninginthetopthatBradleyhadseenusedbytheseflyingmeninlieuofdoorways。Atalllevelswerethemyriadpolessurmountedbygrinningskulls;butthetwomostprominentfeaturesofthecityweretheroundtowerofhumanskullsthatBradleyhadnotedearlierinthedayandanotherandmuchlargeredificenearthecenterofthecity。Astheyapproachedit，Bradleysawthatitwasahugebuildingrisingahundredfeetinheightfromthegroundandthatitstoodaloneinthecenterofwhatmighthavebeencalledaplazainsomeotherpartoftheworld。Itsvariousparts，however，weresettogetherwiththesamestrangeirregularitythatmarkedthearchitectureofthecityasawhole;anditwascappedbyanenormoussaucer-shapedroofwhichprojectedfarbeyondtheeaves，havingtheappearanceofacolossalChinesecooliehat，inverted。
　　TheWieroobearingBradleypassedoveronecorneroftheopenspaceaboutthelargebuilding，revealingtotheEnglishmangrassandtreesandrunningwaterbeneath。Theypassedthebuildingandaboutfivehundredyardsbeyondthecreaturealightedontheroofofasquare，bluebuildingsurmountedbysevenpolesbearingsevenskulls。Thisthen，thoughtBradley，istheBluePlaceofSevenSkulls。
　　Overtheopeningintheroofwasagratedcovering，andthistheWierooremoved。ThethingthentiedapieceoffiberropetooneofBradley’sanklesandrolledhimovertheedgeoftheopening。
　　AllwasdarkbelowandforaninstanttheEnglishmancameasneartoexperiencingrealterrorashehadevercomeinhislifebefore。
　　Asherolledoffintotheblackabysshefelttheropetightenabouthisankleandaninstantlaterhewasstoppedwithasuddenjerktoswingpendulumlike，headdownward。ThenthecreatureloweredawayuntilBradley’sheadcameinsuddenandpainfulcontactwiththefloorbelow，afterwhichtheWierooletlooseoftheropeentirelyandtheEnglishman’sbodycrashedtothewoodenplanking。Hefeltthefreeendoftheropedroppeduponhimandheardthegratingbeingslidintoplaceabovehim。
　　Chapter3
　　Half-stunned，Bradleylayforaminuteashehadfallenandthenslowlyandpainfullywriggledintoalessuncomfortableposition。
　　Hecouldseenothingofhissurroundingsinthegloomabouthimuntilafterafewminuteshiseyesbecameaccustomedtothedarkinteriorwhenherolledthemfromsidetosideinsurveyofhisprison。
　　Hediscoveredhimselftobeinabareroomwhichwaswindowless，norcouldheseeanyotheropeningthanthatthroughwhichhehadbeenlowered。Inonecornerwasahuddledmassthatmighthavebeenalmostanythingfromabundleofragstoadeadbody。
　　AlmostimmediatelyafterhehadtakenhisbearingsBradleycommencedworkingwithhisbonds。Hewasamanofpowerfulphysique，andasfromthefirsthehadbeenimbuedwithabeliefthatthefiberropesweretooweaktoholdhim，heworkedonwithafirmconvictionthatsoonerorlatertheywouldparttohisstrainings。Afteramatteroffiveminuteshewaspositivethatthestrandsabouthiswristswerebeginningtogive;buthewascompelledtorestthenfromexhaustion。
　　Ashelay，hiseyesresteduponthebundleinthecorner，andpresentlyhecouldhaveswornthatthethingmoved。Witheyesstrainingthroughthegloomthemanlaywatchingthegrimandsinisterthinginthecorner。Perhapshisoverwroughtnerveswereplayingasorryjokeuponhim。Hethoughtofthisandalsothathisconditionofutterhelplessnessmightstillfurtherhavestimulatedhisimagination。Heclosedhiseyesandsoughttorelaxhismusclesandhisnerves;butwhenhelookedagain，heknewthathehadnotbeenmistaken——thethinghadmoved;nowitlayinaslightlyalteredformandfartherfromthewall。Itwasnearerhim。
　　WithrenewedstrengthBradleystrainedathisbonds，hisfascinatedgazestillgluedupontheshapelessbundle。Nolongerwasthereanydoubtthatitmoved——hesawitriseinthecenterseveralinchesandthencreepclosertohim。Itsankandaroseagain——aheadless，hideous，monstrousthingofmenace。Itsverysilencerendereditthemoreterrible。
　　Bradleywasabraveman;ordinarilyhisnerveswereofsteel;buttobeatthemercyofsomeunknownandnamelesshorror，tobeunabletodefendhimself——itwasthesethingsthatalmostunstrunghim，foratbesthewasonlyhuman。Tostandintheopen，evenwiththeoddsallagainsthim;tobeabletousehisfists，toputupsomesortofdefense，toinflictpunishmentuponhisadversary——thenhecouldfacedeathwithasmile。Itwasnotdeaththathefearednow——itwasthathorroroftheunknownthatispartofthefiberofeverysonofwoman。
　　Closerandclosercametheshapelessmass。Bradleylaymotionlessandlistened。Whatwasthatheheard！Breathing？
　　Hecouldnotbemistaken——andthenfromoutofthebundleofragsissuedahollowgroan。Bradleyfelthishairriseuponhishead。
　　Hestruggledwiththeslowlypartingstrandsthatheldhim。
　　ThethingbesidehimroseuphigherthanbeforeandtheEnglishmancouldhaveswornthathesawasingleeyepeeringathimfromamongthetumbledcloth。Foramomentthebundleremainedmotionless——onlythesoundofbreathingissuedfromit，thentherebrokefromitamaniacallaugh。
　　ColdsweatstooduponBradley’sbrowashetuggedforliberation。
　　Hesawtheragsrisehigherandhigherabovehimuntilatlasttheytumbleduponthefloorfromthebodyofanakedman——athin，abony，ahideouscaricatureofman，thatmouthedandmummedand，wabblinguponitsweakandshakinglegs，crumpledtotheflooragain，stilllaughing——laughinghorribly。
　　ItcrawledtowardBradley。"Food！Food！"itscreamed。
　　"Thereisawayout！Thereisawayout！"
　　DraggingitselftohissidethecreatureslumpedupontheEnglishman’sbreast。"Food！"itshrilledaswithitsbonyfingersanditsteeth，itsoughttheman’sbarethroat。
　　"Food！Thereisawayout！"Bradleyfeltteethuponhisjugular。
　　Heturnedandtwisted，shakinghimselffreeforaninstant;butoncemorewithhideouspersistencethethingfasteneditselfuponhim。Theweakjawswereunabletosendthedullteeththroughthevictim’sflesh;butBradleyfeltitpawing，pawing，pawing，likeamonstrousrat，seekinghislife’sblood。
　　Theskinnyarmsnowembracedhisneck，holdingtheteethtohisthroatagainstallhiseffortstodislodgethething。Weakasitwasithadstrengthenoughforthisinitsmadeffortstoeat。
　　Mumblingasitworked，itrepeatedagainandagain，"Food！Food！
　　Thereisawayout！"untilBradleythoughtthosetwoexpressionsalonewoulddrivehimmad。
　　Andallbutmadhewasaswithafinaleffortbackedbyalmostmaniacalstrengthhetorehiswristsfromtheconfiningbondsandgraspingtherepulsivethinguponhisbreasthurledithalfwayacrosstheroom。PantinglikeaspenthoundBradleyworkedatthethongsabouthisankleswhilethemaniaclayquiveringandmumblingwhereithadfallen。PresentlytheEnglishmanleapedtohisfeet——freerthanhehadeverbeforefeltinallhislife，thoughhewasstillhopelesslyaprisonerintheBluePlaceofSevenSkulls。
　　Withhisbackagainstthewallforsupport，soweakthereactionlefthim，Bradleystoodwatchingthecreatureuponthefloor。
　　Hesawitmoveandslowlyraiseitselftoitshandsandknees，whereitswayedtoandfroasitseyesrovedaboutinsearchofhim;andwhenatlasttheyfoundhim，therebrokefromthedrawnlipsthemumbledwords："Food！Food！Thereisawayout！"
　　ThepitifulsupplicationinthetonestouchedtheEnglishman’sheart。
　　HeknewthatthiscouldbenoWieroo，butpossiblyonceamanlikehimselfwhohadbeencastintothispitofsolitaryconfinementwiththishideousresultthatmightintimebehisfate，also。
　　Andthen，too，therewasthesuggestionofhopeheldoutbytheconstantreiterationofthephrase，"Thereisawayout。"
　　Wasthereawayout？Whatdidthispoorthingknow？
　　"Whoareyouandhowlonghaveyoubeenhere？"Bradleysuddenlydemanded。
　　Foramomentthemanuponthefloormadenoresponse，thenmumblinglycamethewords："Food！Food！"
　　"Stop！"commandedtheEnglishman——theinjunctionmighthavebeenbarkedfromthemuzzleofapistol。Itbroughtthemantoasittingposture，hishandsofftheground。Hestoppedswayingtoandfroandappearedtobestartledintoanattempttomasterhisfacultiesofconcentrationandthought。
　　Bradleyrepeatedhisquestionssharply。
　　"IamAn-Tak，theGalu，"repliedtheman。"LuataaloneknowshowlongIhavebeenhere——maybetenmoons，maybetenmoonsthreetimes"——itwastheCaspakianequivalentofthirty。"Iwasyoungandstrongwhentheybroughtmehere。NowIamoldandveryweak。
　　Iamcos-ata-lu——thatiswhytheyhavenotkilledme。
　　IfItellthemthesecretofbecomingcos-ata-lutheywilltakemeout;buthowcanItellthemthatwhichLuataaloneknows？
　　"Whatiscos-ata-lu？"demandedBradley。
　　"Food！Food！Thereisawayout！"mumbledtheGalu。
　　Bradleystrodeacrossthefloor，seizedthemanbyhisshouldersandshookhim。
　　"Tellme，"hecried，"whatiscos-ata-lu？"
　　"Food！"whimperedAn-Tak。
　　Bradleybethoughthimself。Hishaversackhadnotbeentakenfromhim。Initbesideshisrazorandknifewereoddsandendsofequipmentandasmallquantityofdriedmeat。HetossedasmallstripofthelattertothestarvingGalu。An-Takseizeduponitanddevoureditravenously。Itinstillednewlifeintheman。
　　"Whatiscos-ata-lu？"insistedBradleyagain。
　　An-Taktriedtoexplain。Hisnarrativewasoftenbrokenbylapsesofconcentrationduringwhichherevertedtohisplaintivemumblingforfoodandrecurrencetothestatementthattherewasawayout;butbyfirmnessandpatiencetheEnglishmandrewoutpiece-mealamoreorlesslucidexpositionoftheremarkableschemeofevolutionthatrulesinCaspak。Inithefoundexplanationsofthehithertoinexplicable。HediscoveredwhyhehadseennobabesorchildrenamongtheCaspakiantribeswithwhichhehadcomeincontact;whyeachmorenortherlytribeevincedahigherstateofdevelopmentthanthosesouthofthem;
　　whyeachtribeincludedindividualsranginginphysicalandmentalcharacteristicsfromthehighestofthenextlowerracetothelowestofthenexthigher，andwhythewomenofeachtribeimmersedthemselvesmorningforanhourormoreinthewarmpoolsnearwhichthehabitationsoftheirpeoplealwayswerelocated;
　　and，too，hediscoveredwhythosepoolswerealmostimmunefromtheattacksofcarnivorousanimalsandreptiles。
　　Helearnedthatallbutthosewhowerecos-ata-lucameupcor-sva-jo，orfromthebeginning。Theeggfromwhichtheyfirstdevelopedintotadpoleformwasdeposited，withmillionsofothers，inoneofthewarmpoolsandwithitapoisonousserumthatthecarnivorainstinctivelyshunned。
　　Downthewarmstreamfromthepoolfloatedthecountlessbillionsofeggsandtadpoles，developingastheydriftedslowlytowardthesea。Somebecametadpolesinthepool，someinthesluggishstreamandsomenotuntiltheyreachedthegreatinlandsea。
　　Inthenextstagetheybecamefishesorreptiles，An-Takwasnotpositivewhich，andinthisform，alwaysdeveloping，theyswamfartothesouth，where，amidtherankandteemingjungles，someofthemevolvedintoamphibians。Alwaystherewerethosewhosedevelopmentstoppedatthefirststage，otherswhosedevelopmentceasedwhentheybecamereptiles，whilebyfarthegreaterproportionformedthefoodsupplyoftheravenouscreaturesofthedeep。
　　Fewindeedwerethosethateventuallydevelopedintobaboonsandthenapes，whichwasconsideredbyCaspakianstherealbeginningofevolution。Fromtheegg，then，theindividualdevelopedslowlyintoahigherform，justasthefrog’seggdevelopsthroughvariousstagesfromafishwithgillstoafrogwithlungs。
　　WiththatthoughtinmindBradleydiscoveredthatitwasnotdifficulttobelieveinthepossibilityofsuchascheme——
　　therewasnothingnewinit。
　　Fromtheapetheindividual，ifitsurvived，slowlydevelopedintothelowestorderofman——theAlu——andthenbydegreestoBo-lu，Sto-lu，Band-lu，Kro-luandfinallyGalu。Andineachstagecountlessmillionsofothereggsweredepositedinthewarmpoolsofthevariousracesandfloateddowntothegreatseatogothroughasimilarprocessofevolutionoutsidethewombasdevelopsourownyoungwithin;butinCaspaktheschemeismuchmoreinclusive，foritcombinesnotonlyindividualdevelopmentbuttheevolutionofspeciesandgenera。Ifaneggsurvivesitgoesthroughallthestagesofdevelopmentthatmanhaspassedthroughduringtheunthinkableeonssincelifefirstmovedupontheearth’sface。
　　Thefinalstage——thatwhichtheGalushavealmostattainedandforwhichallhope——iscos-ata-lu，whichliterally，meansno-egg-man，oronewhoisborndirectlyasaretheyoungoftheouterworldofmammals。SomeoftheGalusproducecos-ata-luandcos-ata-loboth;theWeiroosonlycos-ata-lu——inotherwordsallWieroosarebornmale，andsotheypreyupontheGalusfortheirwomenandsometimescaptureandtorturetheGalumenwhoarecos-ata-luinanendeavortolearnthesecretwhichtheybelievewillgivethemunlimitedpoweroverallotherdenizensofCaspak。
　　NoWierooscomeupfromthebeginning——allarebornoftheWieroofathersandGalumotherswhoarecos-ata-lo，andthereareveryfewofthelatterowingtothelongandprecariousstagesofdevelopment。Sevengenerationsofthesameancestormustcomeupfromthebeginningbeforeacos-ata-luchildmaybeborn;
　　andwhenoneconsidersthefrightfuldangersthatsurroundthevitalsparkfromthemomentitleavesthewarmpoolwhereithasbeendepositedtofloatdowntotheseaamidthevoraciouscreaturesthatswarmthesurfaceandthedeepsandthealmostequallyunthinkabletrialsofitsefforttosurviveafteritoncebecomesalandanimalandstartsnorthwardthroughthehorrorsoftheCaspakianjunglesandforests，itisplainlyawonderthatevenasinglebabehaseverbeenborntoaGaluwoman。
　　SevencyclesitrequiresbeforetheseventhGalucancompletetheseventhdanger-infestedcirclesinceitsfirstGaluancestorachievedthestateofGalu。Foragesbefore，theancestorsofthisfirstGalumayhavedevelopedfromaBand-luorBo-lueggwithouteveroncecompletingthewholecircle——thatisfromaGaluegg，backtoafullydevelopedGalu。
　　Bradley’sheadwaswhirlingbeforeheevencommencedtograspthecomplexitiesofCaspakianevolution;butasthetruthslowlyfilteredintohisunderstanding——asgraduallyitbecamepossibleforhimtovisualizethescheme，itappearedsimpler。Infact，itseemedevenlessdifficultofcomprehensionthanthatwithwhichhewasfamiliar。
　　ForseveralminutesafterAn-Takceasedspeaking，hisvoicehavingtrailedoffweaklyintosilence，neitherspokeagain。
　　ThentheGalurecommencedhis，"Food！Food！Thereisawayout！"
　　Bradleytossedhimanotherbitofdriedmeat，waitingpatientlyuntilhehadeatenit，thistimemoreslowly。
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbysayingthereisawayout？"heasked。
　　"HewhodiedherejustafterIcame，toldme，"repliedAn-Tak。
　　"Hesaidtherewasawayout，thathehaddiscovereditbutwastooweaktousehisknowledge。Hewastryingtotellmehowtofinditwhenhedied。Oh，Luata，ifhehadlivedbutamomentmore！"
　　"Theydonotfeedyouhere？"askedBradley。
　　"No，theygivemewateronceaday——thatisall。"
　　"Buthowhaveyoulived，then？"
　　"Thelizardsandtherats，"repliedAn-Tak。"Thelizardsarenotsobad;buttheratsarefoultotaste。However，Imusteatthemortheywouldeatme，andtheyarebetterthannothing;butoflatetheydonotcomesooften，andIhavenothadalizardforalongtime。Ishalleatthough，"hemumbled。"Ishalleatnow，foryoucannotremainawakeforever。"Helaughed，acackling，drylaugh。"Whenyousleep，An-Takwilleat。"
　　Itwashorrible。Bradleyshuddered。Foralongtimeeachsatinsilence。TheEnglishmancouldguesswhytheothermadenosound——heawaitedthemomentthatsleepshouldovercomehisvictim。
　　InthelongsilencetherewasbornuponBradley’searsafaint，monotonoussoundasofrunningwater。Helistenedintently。
　　Itseemedtocomefromfarbeneaththefloor。