"Whatisthatnoise？"heasked。"Thatsoundslikewaterrunningthroughanarrowchannel。"
　　"Itistheriver，"repliedAn-Tak。"Whydoyounotgotosleep？
　　ItpassesdirectlybeneaththeBluePlaceofSevenSkulls。Itrunsthroughthetemplegrounds，beneaththetempleandunderthecity。
　　Whenwedie，theywillcutoffourheadsandthrowourbodiesintotheriver。Atthemouthoftheriverawaitmanylargereptiles。
　　Thusdotheyfeed。TheWieroosdolikewisewiththeirowndead，keepingonlytheskullsandthewings。Come，letussleep。"
　　"Dothereptilescomeuptheriverintothecity？"askedBradley。
　　"Thewateristoocold——theyneverleavethewarmwaterofthegreatpool，"repliedAn-Tak。
　　"Letussearchforthewayout，"suggestedBradley。
　　An-Takshookhishead。"Ihavesearchedforitallthesemoons，"
　　hesaid。"IfIcouldnotfindit，howwouldyou？"
　　Bradleymadenoreplybutcommencedadiligentexaminationofthewallsandflooroftheroom，pressingovereachsquarefootandtappingwithhisknuckles。Aboutsixfeetfromthefloorhediscoveredasleeping-perchnearoneendoftheapartment。
　　HeaskedAn-Takaboutit，buttheGalusaidthatnoWeiroohadoccupiedtheplacesincehehadbeenincarceratedthere。
　　AgainandagainBradleywentoverthefloorandwallsashighupashecouldreach。Finallyheswunghimselftotheperch，thathemightexamineatleastoneendoftheroomallthewaytotheceiling。
　　Inthecenterofthewallclosetothetop，anareaaboutthreefeetsquaregaveforthahollowsoundwhenherappeduponit。
　　Bradleyfeltovereverysquareinchofthatareawiththetipsofhisfingers。Nearthetophefoundasmallroundholeatriflelargerindiameterthanhisforefinger，whichheimmediatelystuckintoit。Thepanel，ifsuchitwas，seemedaboutaninchthick，andbeyondithisfingerencounterednothing。
　　Bradleycrookedhisfingerupontheoppositesideofthepanelandpulledtowardhim，steadilybutwithconsiderableforce。
　　Suddenlythepanelflewinward，nearlyprecipitatingthemantothefloor。Itwashingedatthebottom，andwhenloweredtheouteredgerestedupontheperch，makingalittleplatformparallelwiththeflooroftheroom。
　　Beyondtheopeningwasanutterlydarkvoid。TheEnglishmanleanedthroughitandreachedhisarmasfaraspossibleintotheblacknessbuttouchednothing。Thenhefumbledinhishaversackforamatch，afewofwhichremainedtohim。Whenhestruckit，An-Takgaveacryofterror。Bradleyheldthelightfarintotheopeningbeforehimandinitsflickeringrayssawthetopofaladderdescendingintoablackabyssbelow。Howfardownitextendedhecouldnotguess;butthatheshouldsoonknowdefinitelyhewaspositive。
　　"Youhavefoundit！Youhavefoundthewayout！"screamedAn-Tak。
　　"Oh，Luata！AndnowIamtooweaktogo。Takemewithyou！
　　Takemewithyou！"
　　"Shutup！"admonishedBradley。"Youwillhavethewholeflockofbirdsaroundourheadsinaminute，andneitherofuswillescape。
　　Bequiet，andI’llgoahead。IfIfindawayout，I’llcomebackandhelpyou，ifyou’llpromisenottotrytoeatmeupagain。"
　　"Ipromise，"criedAn-Tak。"Oh，Luata！Howcouldyoublameme？
　　Iamhalfcrazedofhungerandlongconfinementandthehorrorofthelizardsandtheratsandtheconstantwaitingfordeath。"
　　"Iknow，"saidBradleysimply。"I’msorryforyou，oldtop。
　　Keepastiffupperlip。"Andheslippedthroughtheopening，foundtheladderwithhisfeet，closedthepanelbehindhim，andstarteddownwardintothedarkness。
　　Belowhimrosemoreandmoredistinctlythesoundofrunningwater。
　　Theairfeltdampandcool。Hecouldseenothingofhissurroundingsandfeltnothingbutthesmooth，wornsidesandrungsoftheladderdownwhichhefelthiswaycautiouslylestabrokenrungoramisstepshouldhurlhimdownward。
　　Ashedescendedthusslowly，theladderseemedinterminableandthepitbottomless，yetherealizedwhenatlasthereachedthebottomthathecouldnothavedescendedmorethanfiftyfeet。
　　Thebottomoftheladderrestedonanarrowledgepavedwithwhatfeltlikelargeroundstones，butwhatheknewfromexperiencetobehumanskulls。Hecouldnotbutmarvelastowheresomanycountlessthousandsofthethingshadcomefrom，untilhepausedtoconsiderthattheinfancyofCaspakdateddoubtlesslybackintoremoteages，farbeyondwhattheouterworldconsideredthebeginningofearthlytime。ForalltheseeonstheWieroosmighthavebeencollectinghumanskullsfromtheirenemiesandtheirowndead——enoughtohavebuiltanentirecityofthem。
　　Feelinghiswayalongthenarrowledge，Bradleycamepresentlytoablankwallthatstretchedoutoverthewaterswirlingbeneathhim，asfarashecouldreach。Stooping，hegropedaboutwithonehand，reachingdowntowardthesurfaceofthewater，anddiscoveredthatthebottomofthewallarchedabovethestream。
　　Howmuchspacetherewasbetweenthewaterandthearchhecouldnottell，norhowdeeptheformer。Therewasonlyonewayinwhichhemightlearnthesethings，andthatwastolowerhimselfintothestream。Foronlyaninstanthehesitatedweighinghischances。BehindhimlayalmostcertainlythehorridfateofAn-Tak;beforehimnothingworsethanacomparativelypainlessdeathbydrowning。Holdinghishaversackabovehisheadwithonehandheloweredhisfeetslowlyovertheedgeofthenarrowplatform。
　　Almostimmediatelyhefelttheswirlingofcoldwaterabouthisankles，andthenwithasilentprayerhelethimselfdropgentlyintothestream。
　　GreatwasBradley’sreliefwhenhefoundthewaternomorethanwaistdeepandbeneathhisfeetafirm，gravelbottom。
　　Feelinghiswaycautiouslyhemoveddownwardwiththecurrent，whichwasnotsostrongashehadimaginedfromthenoiseoftherunningwater。
　　Beneaththefirstarchhemadehisway，followingthewindingcurvaturesoftheright-handwall。Afterafewyardsofprogresshishandcamesuddenlyincontactwithaslimythingclingingtothewall——athingthathissedandscuttledoutofreach。Whatitwas，themancouldnotknow;butalmostinstantlytherewasasplashinthewaterjustaheadofhimandthenanother。
　　Onhewent，passingbeneathotherarchesatvaryingdistances，andalwaysinutterdarkness。Unseendenizensofthisgreatsewer，disturbedbytheintruder，splashedintothewateraheadofhimandwriggledaway。Timeandagainhishandtouchedthemandneverforaninstantcouldhebesurethatatthenextstepsomegruesomethingmightnotattackhim。Hehadstrappedhishaversackabouthisneck，wellabovethesurfaceofthewater，andinhislefthandhecarriedhisknife。Otherprecautionstherewerenonetotake。
　　Themonotonyoftheblindtrailwasincreasedbythefactthatfromthemomenthehadstartedfromthefootoftheladderhehadcountedhiseverystep。HehadpromisedtoreturnforAn-Takifitprovedhumanlypossibletodoso，andheknewthatintheblacknessofthetunnelhecouldlocatethefootoftheladderinnootherway。
　　Hehadtakentwohundredandsixty-ninesteps——afterwardheknewthatheshouldneverforgetthatnumber——whensomethingbumpedgentlyagainsthimfrombehind。Instantlyhewheeledaboutandwithknifereadytodefendhimselfstretchedforthhisrighthandtopushawaytheobjectthatnowhadlodgedagainsthisbody。
　　Hisfingersfeelingthroughthedarknesscameincontactwithsomethingcoldandclammy——theypassedtoandfrooverthethinguntilBradleyknewthatitwasthefaceofadeadmanfloatinguponthesurfaceofthestream。Withanoathhepushedhisgruesomecompanionoutintomid-streamtofloatondowntowardthegreatpoolandtheawaitingscavengersofthedeep。
　　Athisfourhundredandthirteenthstepanothercorpsebumpedagainsthim——howmanyhadpassedhimwithouttouchinghecouldnotguess;butsuddenlyheexperiencedthesensationofbeingsurroundedbydeadfacesfloatingalongwithhim，allsetinhideousgrimaces，theirdeadeyesglaringatthisprofaningalienwhodaredintrudeuponthewatersofthisriverofthedead——ahorridescort，pregnantwithdireforebodingsandwithmenace。
　　Thoughheadvancedveryslowly，hetriedalwaystotakestepsofaboutthesamelength;sothatheknewthatthoughconsiderabletimehadelapsed，yethehadreallyadvancednomorethanfourhundredyardswhenaheadhesawalesseningofthepitch-darkness，andatthenextturnofthestreamhissurroundingsbecamevaguelydiscernible。Abovehimwasanarchedroofandoneitherhandwallspiercedatintervalsbyaperturescoveredwithwoodendoors。Justaheadofhimintheroofoftheaqueductwasaround，blackholeaboutthirtyinchesindiameter。
　　Hiseyesstillrestedupontheopeningwhenthereshotdownwardfromittothewaterbelowthenakedbodyofahumanbeingwhichalmostimmediatelyrosetothesurfaceagainandfloatedoffdownthestream。InthedimlightBradleysawthatitwasadeadWieroofromwhichthewingsandheadhadbeenremoved。Amomentlateranotherheadlessbodyfloatedpast，recallingwhatAn-Takhadtoldhimoftheskull-collectingcustomsoftheWieroo。
　　Bradleywonderedhowithappenedthatthefirstcorpsehehadencounteredinthestreamhadnotbeensimilarlymutilated。
　　Thefartherheadvancednow，thelighteritbecame。Thenumberofcorpseswasmuchsmallerthanhehadimagined，onlytwomorepassinghimbefore，atsixhundredsteps，oraboutfivehundredyards，fromthepointhehadtakentothestream，hecametotheendofthetunnelandlookedoutuponsunlitwater，runningbetweengrassybanks。
　　OneofthelastcorpsestopasshimwasstillclothedinthewhiterobeofaWieroo，blood-stainedovertheheadlessneckthatitconcealed。
　　Drawingclosertotheopeningleadingintothebrightdaylight，Bradleysurveyedwhatlaybeyond。Ashortdistancebeforehimalargebuildingstoodinthecenterofseveralacresofgrassandtree-coveredground，spanningthestreamwhichdisappearedthroughanopeninginitsfoundationwall。Fromthelargesaucer-shapedroofandthevividcoloringsofthevariousheterogeneouspartsofthestructureherecognizeditasthetemplepastwhichhehadbeenbornetotheBluePlaceofSevenSkulls。
　　ToandfroflewWieroos，goingtoandfromthetemple。
　　Otherspassedonfootacrosstheopengrounds，assistingthemselveswiththeirgreatwings，sothattheybarelyskimmedtheearth。Toleavethemouthofthetunnelwouldhavebeentocourtinstantdiscoveryandcapture;butbywhatotheravenuehemightescape，Bradleycouldnotguess，unlessheretracedhisstepsupthestreamandsoughtegressfromtheotherendofthecity。Thethoughtoftraversingthatdarkandhorror-riddentunnelforperhapsmileshecouldnotentertain——theremustbesomeotherway。Perhapsafterdarkhecouldstealthroughthetemplegroundsandcontinueondownstreamuntilhehadcomebeyondthecity;andsohestoodandwaiteduntilhislimbsbecamealmostparalyzedwithcold，andheknewthathemustfindsomeotherplanforescape。
　　Ahalf-formeddecisiontoriskanattempttoswimunderwatertothetemplewascrystallizinginspiteofthefactthatanychanceWierooflyingabovethestreammighteasilyseehim，whenagainafloatingobjectbumpedagainsthimfrombehindandlodgedacrosshisback。Turningquicklyhesawthatthethingwaswhathehadimmediatelyguessedittobe——aheadlessandwinglessWieroocorpse。Withagruntofdisgusthewasabouttopushitfromhimwhenthewhitegarmentenshroudingitsuggestedaboldplantohisresourcefulbrain。Graspingthecorpsebyanarmhetorethegarmentfromitandthenletthebodyfloatdownwardtowardthetemple。Withgreatcarehedrapedtherobeabouthim;
　　thebloodyblotchthathadcoveredtheseveredneckhearrangedabouthisownhead。Hishaversackherolledastightlyaspossibleandstuffedbeneathhiscoatoverhisbreast。Thenhefellgentlytothesurfaceofthestreamandlyinguponhisbackfloateddownwardwiththecurrentandoutintotheopensunlight。
　　Throughtheweaveoftheclothhecoulddistinguishlargeobjects。
　　HesawaWierooflapdismallyabovehim;hesawthebanksofthestreamfloatslowlypast;heheardasuddenwailupontheright-
　　handshore，andhisheartstoodstilllesthisrusehadbeendiscovered;butneverbyamoveofamuscledidhebetraythataughtbutacoldlumpofclayfloatedthereuponthebosomofthewater，andsoon，thoughitseemedaneternitytohim，thedirectsunlightwasblottedout，andheknewthathehadenteredbeneaththetemple。
　　Quicklyhefeltforbottomwithhisfeetandasquicklystooderect，snatchingthebloody，clammyclothfromhisface。Onbothsideswereblankwallsandbeforehimtheriverturnedasharpcorneranddisappeared。Feelinghiswaycautiouslyforwardheapproachedtheturnandlookedaroundthecorner。Tohisleftwasalowplatformaboutafootabovethelevelofthestream，andontothishelostnotimeinclimbing，forhewassoakedfromheadtofoot，coldandalmostexhausted。
　　Ashelayrestingontheskull-pavedshelf，hesawinthecenterofthevaultabovetheriveranotherofthosesinisterroundholesthroughwhichhemomentarilyexpectedtoseeaheadlesscorpseshootdownwardinitslastplungetoawaterygrave。
　　Afewfeetalongtheplatformacloseddoorbroketheblanknessofthewall。Ashelaylookingatitandwonderingwhatlaybehind，hismindfilledwithfragmentsofmanywildschemesofescape，itopenedandawhiterobedWieroosteppedoutupontheplatform。
　　Thecreaturecarriedalargewoodenbasinfilledwithrubbish。
　　ItseyeswerenotuponBradley，whodrewhimselftoasquattingpositionandcrouchedasfarbackinthecornerofthenicheinwhichtheplatformwassetashecouldforcehimself。TheWieroosteppedtotheedgeoftheplatformanddumpedtherubbishintothestream。Ifitturnedawayfromhimasitstartedtoretraceitsstepstothedoorway，therewasasmallchancethatitmightnotseehim;butifitturnedtowardhimtherewasnoneatall。
　　Bradleyheldhisbreath。
　　TheWieroopausedamoment，gazingdownintothewater，thenitstraightenedupandturnedtowardtheEnglishman。Bradleydidnotmove。TheWieroostoppedandstaredintentlyathim。
　　Itapproachedhimquestioningly。StillBradleyremainedasthoughcarvedofstone。Thecreaturewasdirectlyinfrontofhim。Itstopped。Therewasnochanceonearththatitwouldnotdiscoverwhathewas。
　　Withthequicknessofacat，Bradleysprangtohisfeetandwithallhisgreatstrength，backedbyhisheavyweight，strucktheWieroouponthepointofthechin。Withoutasoundthethingcrumpledtotheplatform，whileBradley，actingalmostinstinctivelytotheurgeofthefirstlawofnature，rolledtheinanimatebodyovertheedgeintotheriver。
　　Thenhelookedattheopendoorway，crossedtheplatformandpeeredwithintheapartmentbeyond。Whathesawwasalargeroom，dimlylighted，andaboutthesiderowsofwoodenvesselsstackedoneuponanother。TherewasnoWierooinsight，sotheEnglishmanentered。Atthefarendoftheroomwasanotherdoor，andashecrossedtowardit，heglancedintosomeofthevessels，whichhefoundwerefilledwithdriedfruits，vegetablesandfish。
　　Withoutmoreadohestuffedhispocketsandhishaversackfull，thinkingofthepoorcreatureawaitinghisreturninthegloomofthePlaceofSevenSkulls。
　　Whennightcame，hewouldreturnandfetchAn-Takthisfaratleast;butinthemeantimeitwashisintentiontoreconnoiterinthehopethathemightdiscoversomeeasierwayoutofthecitythanthatofferedbythechill，blackchanneloftheghastlyriverofcorpses。
　　Beyondthefartherdoorstretchedalongpassagewayfromwhichcloseddoorwaysledintootherpartsofthecellarsofthetemple。Afewyardsfromthestoreroomaladderrosefromthecorridorthroughanapertureintheceiling。Bradleypausedatthefootofit，debatingthewisdomoffurtherinvestigationagainstareturntotheriver;butstrongwithinhimwasthespiritofexplorationthathasscatteredhisracetothefourcornersoftheearth。Whatnewmysterieslayhiddeninthechambersabove？Theurgetoknowwasstronguponhimthoughhisbetterjudgmentwarnedhimthatthesafercourselayinretreat。
　　Foramomenthestoodthus，runninghisfingersthroughhishair;
　　thenhecastdiscretiontothewindsandbegantheascent。
　　InconformitywithsuchWierooarchitectureashehadalreadyobserved，thewellthroughwhichtheladderrosecontinuallycantedatananglefromtheperpendicular。Atmoreorlessregularstagesitwaspiercedbyaperturesclosedbydoors，noneofwhichhecouldopenuntilhehadclimbedfullyfiftyfeetfromtheriverlevel。Herehediscoveredadooralreadyajaropeningintoalarge，circularchamber，thewallsandfloorsofwhichwerecoveredwiththeskinsofwildbeastsandwithrugsofmanycolors;butwhatinterestedhimmostwastheoccupantsoftheroom——aWieroo，andagirlofhumanproportions。Shewasstandingwithherbackagainstacolumnwhichrosefromthecenteroftheapartmentfromfloortoceiling——ahollowcolumnaboutfortyinchesindiameterinwhichhecouldseeanopeningsomethirtyinchesacross。Thegirl’ssidewastowardBradley，andherfaceaverted，forshewaswatchingtheWieroo，whowasnowadvancingslowlytowardher，talkingashecame。
　　Bradleycoulddistinctlyhearthewordsofthecreature，whowasurgingthegirltoaccompanyhimtoanotherWieroocity。"Comewithme，"hesaid，"andyoushallhaveyourlife;remainhereandHeWhoSpeaksforLuatawillclaimyouforhisown;andwhenheisdonewithyou，yourskullwillbleachatthetopofatallstaffwhileyourbodyfeedsthereptilesatthemouthoftheRiverofDeath。
　　EventhoughyoubringintotheworldafemaleWieroo，yourfatewillbethesameifyoudonotescapehim，whilewithmeyoushallhavelifeandfoodandnoneshallharmyou。"
　　Hewasquiteclosetothegirlwhensherepliedbystrikinghiminthefacewithallherstrength。"UntilIamslain，"shecried，"Ishallfightagainstyouall。"FromthethroatoftheWierooissuedthatdismalwailthatBradleyhadheardsoofteninthepast——itwaslikeascreamofpainsmotheredtoagroan——andthenthethingleapeduponthegirl，itsfaceworkinginhideousgrimacesasitclawedandbeatathertoforcehertothefloor。
　　TheEnglishmanwasuponthepointofenteringtodefendherwhenadoorattheoppositesideofthechamberopenedtoadmitahugeWierooclothedentirelyinred。Atsightofthetwostrugglinguponthefloorthenewcomerraisedhisvoiceinashriekofrage。
　　InstantlytheWieroowhowasattackingthegirlleapedtohisfeetandfacedtheother。
　　"Iheard，"screamedhewhohadjustenteredtheroom。"Iheard，andwhenHeWhoSpeaksforLu-atashallhaveheard——"Hepausedandmadeasuggestivemovementofafingeracrosshisthroat。
　　"Heshallnothear，"returnedthefirstWierooas，withapowerfulmotionofhisgreatwings，helaunchedhimselfuponthered-robedfigure。Thelatterdodgedthefirstcharge，drewawicked-lookingcurvedbladefrombeneathitsredrobe，spreaditswingsanddivedforitsantagonist。Beatingtheirwings，wailingandgroaning，thetwohideousthingssparredforposition。
　　Thewhite-robedonebeingunarmedsoughttograsptheotherbythewristofitsknife-handandbythethroat，whilethelatterhoppedaroundonitsdaintywhitefeet，seekinganopeningforamortalblow。Onceitstruckandmissed，andthentheotherrushedinandclinched，atthesametimesecuringboththeholdsitsought。Immediatelythetwocommencedbeatingateachother’sheadswiththejointsoftheirwings，kickingwiththeirsoft，punyfeetandbiting，eachattheother’sface。
　　Inthemeantimethegirlmovedabouttheroom，keepingoutofthewayoftheduelists，andasshedidso，Bradleycaughtaglimpseofherfullfaceandimmediatelyrecognizedherasthegirloftheplaceoftheyellowdoor。HedidnotdareintervenenowuntiloneoftheWieroohadovercometheother，lestthetwoshouldturnuponhimatonce，whenthechanceswerefairthathewouldbedefeatedinsounequalabattleasthecurvedbladeoftheredWieroowouldrenderit，andsohewaited，watchingthewhite-robedfigureslowlychokingthelifefromhimoftheredrobe。
　　Theprotrudingtongueandthepoppingeyesproclaimedthattheendwasnearandamomentlatertheredrobesanktotheflooroftheroom，thecurvedbladeslippingfromnervelessfingers。
　　Foraninstantlongerthevictorclungtothethroatofhisdefeatedantagonistandthenherose，draggingthebodyafterhim，andapproachedthecentralcolumn。HereheraisedthebodyandthrustitintotheaperturewhereBradleysawitdropsuddenlyfromsight。Instantlythereflashedintohismemorythecircularopeningsintheroofoftherivervaultandthecorpseshehadseendropfromthemtothewaterbeneath。
　　Asthebodydisappeared，theWierooturnedandcastabouttheroomforthegirl。Foramomenthestoodeyingher。"Yousaw，"
　　hemuttered，"andifyoutellthem，HeWhoSpeaksforLuatawillhavemywingsseveredwhilestillIliveandmyheadwillbeseveredandIshallbecastintotheRiverofDeath，forthusithappenseventothehighestwhoslayoneoftheredrobe。Yousaw，andyoumustdie！"heendedwithascreamasherusheduponthegirl。
　　Bradleywaitednolonger。LeapingintotheroomheranfortheWieroo，whohadalreadyseizedthegirl，andasheran，hestoopedandpickedupthecurvedblade。Thecreature’sbackwastowardhimas，withhislefthand，heseizeditbytheneck。
　　Likeaflashthegreatwingsbeatbackwardasthecreatureturned，andBradleywassweptfromhisfeet，thoughhestillretainedhisholdupontheblade。InstantlytheWieroowasuponhim。Bradleylayslightlyraiseduponhisleftelbow，hisrightarmfree，andasthethingcameclose，hecutatthehideousfacewithallthestrengththatlaywithinhim。ThebladestruckatthejunctionoftheneckandtorsoandwithsuchforceastocompletelydecapitatetheWieroo，thehideousheaddroppingtothefloorandthebodyfallingforwardupontheEnglishman。
　　Pushingitfromhimherosetohisfeetandfacedthewide-eyedgirl。
　　"Luata！"sheexclaimed。"Howcameyouhere？"
　　Bradleyshrugged。"HereIam，"hesaid;"butthethingnowistogetoutofhere——bothofus。"
　　Thegirlshookherhead。"Itcannotbe，"shestatedsadly。
　　"ThatiswhatIthoughtwhentheydroppedmeintotheBluePlaceofSevenSkulls，"repliedBradley。"Can’tbedone。Ididit。——
　　Here！You’remussingupthefloorsomethingawful，you。"ThislasttothedeadWierooashestoopedanddraggedthecorpsetothecentralshaft，whereheraisedittotheapertureandletitslipintothetube。Thenhepickeduptheheadandtosseditafterthebody。"Don’tbesoglum，"headmonishedtheformerashecarriedittowardthewell;"smile！"
　　"Buthowcanhesmile？"questionedthegirl，ahalf-puzzled，half-frightenedlookuponherface。"Heisdead。"
　　"That’sso，"admittedBradley，"andIsupposehedoesfeelabitcutupaboutit。"
　　Thegirlshookherheadandedgedawayfromtheman——towardthedoor。
　　"Come！"saidtheEnglishman。"We’vegottogetoutofhere。
　　Ifyoudon’tknowabetterwaythantheriver，it’stheriverthen。"
　　Thegirlstilleyedhimaskance。"Buthowcouldhesmilewhenhewasdead？"
　　Bradleylaughedaloud。"IthoughtweEnglishweresupposedtohavetheleastsenseofhumorofanypeopleintheworld，"hecried;"butnowI’vefoundonehumanbeingwhohasn’tany。
　　Ofcourseyoudon’tknowhalfI’msaying;butdon’tworry，littlegirl;I’mnotgoingtohurtyou，andifIcangetyououtofhere，I’lldoit。
　　Evenifshedidnotunderstandallhesaid，sheatleastreadsomethinginhissmiling，countenance——somethingwhichreassuredher。
　　"Idonotfearyou，"shesaid;"thoughIdonotunderstandallthatyousayeventhoughyouspeakmyowntongueandusewordsthatIknow。Butasforescaping"——shesighed——"alas，howcanitbedone？"
　　"IescapedfromtheBluePlaceofSevenSkulls，"Bradleyremindedher。"Come！"Andheturnedtowardtheshaftandtheladderthathehadascendedfromtheriver。"Wecannotwastetimehere。"
　　Thegirlfollowedhim;butatthedoorwaybothdrewback，forfrombelowcamethesoundofsomeoneascending。
　　Bradleytiptoedtothedoorandpeeredcautiouslyintothewell;
　　thenhesteppedbackbesidethegirl。"Therearehalfadozenofthemcomingup;butpossiblytheywillpassthisroom。"
　　"No，"shesaid，"theywillpassdirectlythroughthisroom——theyareontheirwaytoHimWhoSpeaksforLuata。Wemaybeabletohideinthenextroom——thereareskinstherebeneathwhichwemaycrawl。Theywillnotstopinthatroom;buttheymaystopinthisoneforashorttime——theotherroomisblue。"
　　"What’sthatgotodowithit？"demandedtheEnglishman。
　　"Theyfearblue，"shereplied。"Ineveryroomwheremurderhasbeendoneyouwillfindblue——acertainamountforeachmurder。
　　Whentheroomisallblue，theyshunit。Thisroomhasmuchblue;butevidentlytheykillmostlyinthenextroom，whichisnowallblue。"
　　"ButthereisblueontheoutsideofeveryhouseIhaveseen，"
　　saidBradley。
　　"Yes，"assentedthegirl，"andthereareblueroomsineachofthosehouses——whenalltheroomsarebluethenthewholeoutsideofthehousewillbeblueasistheBluePlaceofSevenSkulls。
　　Therearemanysuchhere。"
　　"Andtheskullswithblueuponthem？"inquiredBradley。
　　"Didtheybelongtomurderers？"
　　"Theyweremurdered——someofthem;thosewithonlyasmallamountofblueweremurderers——knownmurderers。AllWieroosaremurderers。
　　Whentheyhavecommittedacertainnumberofmurderswithoutbeingcaughtatit，theyconfesstoHimWhoSpeaksforLuataandareadvanced，afterwhichtheywearrobeswithaslashofsomecolor——
　　Ithinkyellowcomesfirst。Whentheyreachapointwheretheentirerobeisofyellow，theydiscarditforawhiterobewitharedslash;andwhenonewinsacompleteredrobe，hecarriessuchalong，curvedknifeasyouhaveinyourhand;afterthatcomestheblueslashonawhiterobe，andthen，Isuppose，anallbluerobe。
　　Ihaveneverseensuchaone。"
　　Astheytalkedinlowtonestheyhadmovedfromtheroomofthedeathshaftintoanallblueroomadjoining，wheretheysatdowntogetherinacornerwiththeirbacksagainstawallanddrewapileofhidesoverthemselves。AmomentlatertheyheardanumberofWieroosenterthechamber。Theyweretalkingtogetherastheycrossedthefloor，orthetwocouldnothaveheardthem。
　　Halfwayacrossthechambertheyhaltedasthedoortowardwhichtheywereadvancingopenedandadozenothersoftheirkindenteredtheapartment。
　　Bradleycouldguessallthisbytheincreasedvolumeofsoundandthedismalgreetings;butthesuddensilencethatalmostimmediatelyensuedhecouldnotfathom，forhecouldnotknowthatfrombeneathoneofthehidesthatcoveredhimprotrudedoneofhisheavyarmyshoes，orthatsomeeighteenlargeWierooswithrobeseithersolidredorslashedwithredorbluewerestandinggazingatit。Norcouldheheartheirstealthyapproach。
　　Thefirstintimationhehadthathehadbeendiscoveredwaswhenhisfootwassuddenlyseized，andhewasyankedviolentlyfrombeneaththehidestofindhimselfsurroundedbymenacingblades。
　　Theywouldhaveslainhimonthespothadnotoneclothedallinredheldthemback，sayingthatHeWhoSpeaksforLuatadesiredtoseethisstrangecreature。
　　AstheyledBradleyaway，hecaughtanopportunitytoglancebacktowardthehidestoseewhathadbecomeofthegirl，and，tohisgratification，hediscoveredthatshestilllayconcealedbeneaththehides。Hewonderedifshewouldhavethenervetoattempttherivertripaloneandregrettedthatnowhecouldnotaccompanyher。Hefeltratherallin，himself，moresothanhehadatanytimesincehehadbeencapturedbytheWieroo，forthereappearednottheslightestcauseforhopeinhispresentpredicament。Hehaddroppedthecurvedbladebeneaththehideswhenhehadbeenjerkedsoviolentlyfromtheirfanciedsecurity。
　　Itwasalmostinaspiritofresignedhopelessnessthathequietlyaccompaniedhiscaptorsthroughvariouschambersandcorridorstowardtheheartofthetemple。
　　Chapter4
　　Thefartherthegroupprogressed，themorebarbaricandthemoresumptuousbecamethedecorations。Hidesofleopardandtigerpredominated，apparentlybecauseoftheirmorebeautifulmarkings，anddecorativeskullsbecamemoreandmorenumerous。
　　Manyofthelatterweremountedinpreciousmetalsandsetwithcoloredstonesandpricelessgems，whilethickuponthehidesthatcoveredthewallsweregoldenornamentssimilartothosewornbythegirlandthosewhichhadfilledthechestshehadexaminedinthestoreroomofFosh-bal-soj，leadingtheEnglishmantotheconvictionthatallsuchwerespoilsofwarortheft，sinceeachpieceseemedmadeforpersonaladornment，whileinsofarashehadseen，noWierooworeornamentsofanysort。
　　AndalsoastheyadvancedthemorenumerousbecametheWieroosmovinghitherandthitherwithinthetemple。Manynowwerethesolidredrobesandthosethatwereslashedwithblue——averitablehiveofmurderers。
　　AtlastthepartyhaltedinaroominwhichweremanyWierooswhogatheredaboutBradleyquestioninghiscaptorsandexamininghimandhisapparel。OneofthepartyaccompanyingtheEnglishmanspoketoaWieroothatstoodbesideadoorleadingfromtheroom。
　　"TellHimWhoSpeaksforLuata，"hesaid，"thatFosh-bal-sojwecouldnotfind;butthatinreturningwefoundthiscreaturewithinthetemple，hiding。ItmustbethesamethatFosh-bal-sojcapturedintheSto-lucountryduringthelastdarkness。
　　DoubtlessHeWhoSpeaksforLuatawouldwishtoseeandquestionthisstrangething。"
　　Thecreatureaddressedturnedandslippedthroughthedoorway，closingthedoorafterit，butfirstdepositingitscurvedbladeuponthefloorwithout。ItspostwasimmediatelytakenbyanotherandBradleynowsawthatatleasttwentysuchguardsloiteredintheimmediatevicinity。Thedoorkeeperwasgonebutforamoment，andwhenhereturned，hesignifiedthatBradley’spartywastoenterthenextchamber;butfirsteachoftheWieroosremovedhiscurvedweaponandlaidituponthefloor。
　　Thedoorwasswungopen，andtheparty，nowreducedtoBradleyandfiveWieroos，wasusheredacrossthethresholdintoalarge，irregularlyshapedroominwhichasingle，giantWieroowhoserobewassolidbluesatuponaraiseddais。
　　Thecreature’sfacewaswhitewiththewhitenessofacorpse，itsdeadeyesentirelyexpressionless，itscruel，thinlipstight-drawnagainstyellowteethinaperpetualgrimace。Uponeithersideofitlayanenormous，curvedsword，similartothosewithwhichsomeoftheotherWierooshadbeenarmed，butlargerandheavier。
　　Constantlyitsclawlikefingersplayedwithoneortheotheroftheseweapons。
　　Thewallsofthechamberaswellasthefloorwereentirelyhiddenbyskinsandwovenfabrics。Bluepredominatedinallthecolorations。FastenedagainstthehidesweremanypairsofWieroowings，mountedsothattheyresembledlong，blackshields。
　　Upontheceilingwerepaintedinbluecharactersabewilderingseriesofhieroglyphicsanduponpedestalssetagainstthewallsorstandingoutwellwithintheroomweremanyhumanskulls。
　　AstheWieroosapproachedthefigureuponthedais，theyleanedfarforward，raisingtheirwingsabovetheirheadsandstretchingtheirnecksasthoughofferingthemtothesharpswordsofthegrimandhideouscreature。
　　"OThouWhoSpeakestforLuata！"exclaimedoneoftheparty。
　　"WebringyouthestrangecreaturethatFosh-bal-sojcapturedandbroughtthitheratthycommand。"
　　Sothisthenwasthegodlikefigurethatspokefordivinity！
　　Thisarch-murdererwastheCaspakianrepresentativeofGodonEarth！
　　Hisbluerobeannouncedhimtheoneandtheseeminghumilityofhisminionstheother。ForalongminuteheglaredatBradley。Thenhebegantoquestionhim——fromwhencehecameandhow，thenameanddescriptionofhisnativecountry，andahundredotherqueries。
　　"Areyoucos-ata-lu？"thecreatureasked。
　　Bradleyrepliedthathewasandthatallhiskindwere，aswellaseverylivingthinginhispartoftheworld。
　　"Canyoutellmethesecret？"askedthecreature。
　　Bradleyhesitatedandthen，thinkingtogaintime，repliedintheaffirmative。
　　"Whatisit？"demandedtheWieroo，leaningfarforwardandexhibitingeveryevidenceofexcitedinterest。
　　Bradleyleanedforwardandwhispered："Itisforyourearsalone;
　　Iwillnotdivulgeittoothers，andthenonlyonconditionthatyoucarrymeandthegirlIsawintheplaceoftheyellowdoorneartothatofFosh-bal-sojbacktoherowncountry。"
　　Thethingroseinwrath，holdingoneofitsswordsaboveitshead。
　　"WhoareyoutomaketermsforHimWhoSpeaksforLuata？"
　　itshrilled。"Tellmethesecretordiewhereyoustand！"
　　"AndifIdienow，thesecretgoeswithme，"Bradleyremindedhim。
　　"Neveragainwillyougettheopportunitytoquestionanotherofmykindwhoknowsthesecret。"Anythingtogaintime，togettherestoftheWieroosfromtheroom，thathemightplansomeschemeforescapeandputitintoeffect。
　　ThecreatureturnedupontheleaderofthepartythathadbroughtBradley。
　　"Isthethingwithweapons？"itasked。
　　"No，"wastheresponse。
　　"Thengo;buttelltheguardtoremaincloseby，"commandedthehighone。
　　TheWieroossalaamedandwithdrew，closingthedoorbehindthem。
　　HeWhoSpeaksforLuatagraspedaswordnervouslyinhisrighthand。
　　Athisleftsidelaythesecondweapon。Itwasevidentthathelivedinconstantdreadofbeingassassinated。Thefactthathepermittednonewithweaponswithinhispresenceandthathealwayskepttwoswordsathissidepointedtothis。
　　Bradleywasrackinghisbraintofindsomesuggestionofaplanwherebyhemightturnthesituationtohisownaccount。Hiseyeswanderedpasttheweirdfigurebeforehim;theyplayedaboutthewallsoftheapartmentasthoughhopingtodrawinspirationfromthedeadskullsandthehidesandthewings，andthentheycamebacktothefaceoftheWieroogod，nowworkinginanger。
　　"Quick！"screamedthething。"Thesecret！"
　　"Willyougivemeandthegirlourfreedom？"insistedBradley。
　　Foraninstantthethinghesitated，andthenitgrumbled"Yes。"
　　AtthesameinstantBradleysawtwohidesuponthewalldirectlybackofthedaisseparateandafaceappearintheopening。
　　NochangeofexpressionupontheEnglishman’scountenancebetrayedthathehadseenaughttosurprisehim，thoughsurprisedhewasforthefaceintheaperturewasthatofthegirlhehadbutjustlefthiddenbeneaththehidesinanotherchamber。Awhiteandshapelyarmnowpushedpastthefaceintotheroom，andinthehand，tightlyclutched，wasthecurvedblade，smearedwithblood，thatBradleyhaddroppedbeneaththehidesatthemomenthehadbeendiscoveredanddrawnfromhisconcealment。
　　"Listen，then，"saidBradleyinalowvoicetotheWieroo。
　　"Youshallknowthesecretofcos-ata-luaswellasdoI;butnoneothermayhearit。Leanclose——Iwillwhisperitintoyourear。"
　　Hemovedforwardandsteppeduponthedais。Thecreatureraiseditsswordreadytostrikeatthefirstindicationoftreachery，andBradleystoopedbeneaththebladeandputhisearclosetothegruesomeface。Ashedidso，herestedhisweightuponhishands，oneuponeithersideoftheWieroo’sbody，hisrighthanduponthehiltofthespareswordlyingattheleftofHimWhoSpeaksforLuata。
　　"Thisthenisthesecretofbothlifeanddeath，"hewhispered，andatthesameinstanthegraspedtheWieroobytherightwristandwithhisownrighthandswungtheextrabladeinasuddenviciousblowagainstthecreature’sneckbeforethethingcouldgiveevenasinglecryofalarm;thenwithoutwaitinganinstantBradleyleapedpastthedeadgodandvanishedbehindthehidesthathadhiddenthegirl。
　　Wide-eyedandpantingthegirlseizedhisarm。"Oh，whathaveyoudone？"shecried。"HeWhoSpeaksforLuatawillbeavengedbyLuata。Nowindeedmustyoudie。Thereisnoescape，foreventhoughwereachedmyowncountryLuatacanfindyouout。"
　　"Bosh！"exclaimedBradley，andthen："Butyouweregoingtoknifehimyourself。"
　　"ThenIaloneshouldhavedied，"shereplied。
　　Bradleyscratchedhishead。"Neitherofusisgoingtodie，"hesaid;"atleastnotatthehandsofanygod。Ifwedon’tgetoutofherethough，we’lldierightenough。CanyoufindyourwaybacktotheroomwhereIfirstcameuponyouinthetemple？"
　　"Iknowtheway，"repliedthegirl;"butIdoubtifwecangobackwithoutbeingseen。IcamehitherbecauseIonlymetWierooswhoknewthatIamsupposednowtobeinthetemple;
　　butyoucouldgoelsewherewithoutbeingdiscovered。"
　　Bradley’singenuityhadcomeupagainstastonewall。
　　Thereseemednopossibilityofescape。Helookedabouthim。
　　Theywereinasmallroomwherelayalitterofrubbish——tornbitsofcloth，oldhides，piecesoffiberrope。Inthecenteroftheroomwasacylindricalshaftwithanopeninginitsface。
　　Bradleyknewitforwhatitwas。Herethearch-fienddraggedhisvictimsandcasttheirbodiesintotheriverofdeathfarbelow。
　　Thefloorabouttheopeningintheshaftandthesidesoftheshaftwereclottedthickwithadried，darkbrownsubstancethattheEnglishmanknewhadoncebeenblood。Theplacehadtheappearanceofhavingbeenaveritableshambles。Anodorofdecayingfleshpermeatedtheair。
　　TheEnglishmancrossedtotheshaftandpeeredintotheopening。
　　Allbelowwasdarkaspitch;butatthebottomheknewwastheriver。Suddenlyaninspirationandaboldschemeleapedtohismind。Turningquicklyhehuntedabouttheroomuntilhefoundwhathesought——aquantityoftheropethatlaystrewnhereandthere。Withrapidfingersheunsnarledthedifferentlengths，thegirlhelpinghim，andthenhetiedtheendstogetheruntilhehadthreeropesaboutseventy-fivefeetinlength。Hefastenedthesetogetherateachendandwithoutawordsecuredoneoftheendsaboutthegirl’sbodybeneathherarms。
　　"Don’tbefrightened，"hesaidatlength，asheledhertowardtheopeningintheshaft。"I’mgoingtoloweryoutotheriver，andthenI’mcomingdownafteryou。Whenyouaresafebelow，givetwoquickjerksupontherope。Ifthereisdangerthereandyouwantmetodrawyouupintotheshaft，jerkonce。Don’tbeafraid——itistheonlyway。"
　　"Iamnotafraid，"repliedthegirl，ratherhaughtilyBradleythought，andherselfclimbedthroughtheapertureandhungbyherhandswaitingforBradleytolowerher。
　　Asrapidlyaswasconsistentwithsafety，themanpaidouttherope。
　　Whenitwasabouthalfout，heheardloudcriesandwailssuddenlyarisewithintheroomtheyhadjustquitted。TheslayingoftheirgodhadbeendiscoveredbytheWieroos。Asearchfortheslayerwouldbeginatonce。
　　Lord！Wouldthegirlneverreachtheriver？Atlast，justashewaspositivethatsearcherswerealreadyenteringtheroombehindhim，therecametwoquicktugsattherope。InstantlyBradleymadetherestofthestrandsfastabouttheshaft，slippedintotheblacktubeandbeganahurrieddescenttowardtheriver。
　　Aninstantlaterhestoodwaistdeepinwaterbesidethegirl。
　　Impulsivelyshereachedtowardhimandgraspedhisarm。
　　Astrangethrillranthroughhimatthecontact;butheonlycuttheropefromaboutherbodyandliftedhertothelittleshelfattheriver’sside。
　　"Howcanweleavehere？"sheasked。
　　"Bytheriver，"hereplied;"butfirstImustgobacktotheBluePlaceofSevenSkullsandgetthepoordevilIleftthere。
　　I’llhavetowaituntilafterdark，though，asIcannotpassthroughtheopenstretchofriverinthetemplegardensbyday。"
　　"Thereisanotherway，"saidthegirl。"Ihaveneverseenit;butoftenIhaveheardthemspeakofit——acorridorthatrunsbesidetheriverfromoneendofthecitytotheother。
　　Throughthegardensitisbelowground。Ifwecouldfindanentrancetoit，wecouldleavehereatonce。Itisnotsafehere，fortheywillsearcheveryinchofthetempleandthegrounds。"
　　"Come，"saidBradley。"We’llhavealookforit，anyway。"Andsosayingheapproachedoneofthedoorsthatopenedontotheskull-pavedshelf。
　　Theyfoundthecorridoreasily，foritparalleledtheriver，separatedfromitonlybyasinglewall。Ittookthembeneaththegardensandthecity，alwaysthroughinkydarkness。Aftertheyhadreachedtheothersideofthegardens，Bradleycountedhisstepsuntilhehadretracedasmanyashehadtakencomingdownthestream;butthoughtheyhadtogropetheirwayalong，itwasamuchmorerapidtripthantheformer。
　　WhenhethoughthewasaboutoppositethepointatwhichhehaddescendedfromtheBluePlaceofSevenSkulls，hesoughtandfoundadoorwayleadingoutontotheriver;andthen，stillintheblackestdarkness，heloweredhimselfintothestreamandfeltupanddownupontheoppositesideforthelittleshelfandtheladder。Tenyardsfromwherehehademergedhefoundthem，whilethegirlwaitedupontheoppositeside。
　　Toascendtothesecretpanelwastheworkofbutaminute。
　　HerehepausedandlistenedlestaWieroomightbevisitingtheprisoninsearchofhimortheotherinmate;butnosoundcamefromthegloomyinterior。Bradleycouldnotbutmuseuponthejoyofthemanontheoppositesidewhenheshoulddropdowntohimwithfoodandanewhopeforescape。Thenheopenedthepanelandlookedintotheroom。Thefaintlightfromthegratingaboverevealedthepileofragsinonecorner;butthemanlaybeneaththem，hemadenoresponsetoBradley’slowgreeting。
　　TheEnglishmanloweredhimselftotheflooroftheroomandapproachedtherags。Stoopingheliftedacornerofthem。
　　Yes，therewasthemanasleep。Bradleyshookhim——therewasnoresponse。HestoopedlowerandinthedimlightexaminedAn-Tak;thenhestoodupwithasigh。Aratleapedfrombeneaththecoveringsandscurriedaway。"Poordevil！"mutteredBradley。
　　HecrossedtheroomtoswinghimselftotheperchpreparatorytoquittingtheBluePlaceofSevenSkullsforever。Beneaththeperchhepaused。"I’llnotgivethemthesatisfaction，"hegrowled。
　　"Letthembelievethatheescaped。"
　　Returningtothepileofragshegatheredthemanintohisarms。
　　Itwasdifficultworkraisinghimtothehighperchanddragginghimthroughthesmallopeningandthusdowntheladder;butpresentlyitwasdone，andBradleyhadloweredthebodyintotheriverandcastitoff。"Good-bye，oldtop！"hewhispered。
　　Amomentlaterhehadrejoinedthegirlandhandinhandtheywerefollowingthedarkcorridorupstreamtowardthefartherendofthecity。ShetoldhimthattheWieroosseldomfrequentedtheselowerpassages，astheairherewastoochillforthem;butoccasionallytheycame，andastheycouldseequiteaswellbynightasbyday，theywouldbesuretodiscoverBradleyandthegirl。
　　"Iftheycomecloseenough，"shesaid，"wecanseetheireyesshininginthedark——theyresembledullsplotchesoflight。
　　Theyglow，butdonotblazeliketheeyesofthetigerorthelion。"
　　Themancouldnotbutnotetheveryevidenthorrorwithwhichshementionedthecreatures。Tohimtheywereuncanny;butshehadbeenusedtothemforayearalmost，andprobablyallherlifeshehadeitherseenorheardofthemconstantly。
　　"Whydoyoufearthemso？"heasked。"Itseemsmorethananyordinaryfearoftheharmtheycandoyou。"
　　Shetriedtoexplain;butthenearesthecouldgatherwasthatshelookedupontheWierooalmostassupernaturalbeings。
　　"ThereisalegendcurrentamongmypeoplethatoncetheWieroowereunlikeusonlyinthattheypossessedrudimentarywings。
　　TheylivedinvillagesintheGalucountry，andwhilethetwopeoplesoftenwarred，theyheldnohatredforoneanother。Inthosedayseachracecameupfromthebeginningandtherewasgreatrivalryastowhichwasthehigherinthescaleofevolution。TheWieroodevelopedthefirstcos-ata-lubuttheywerealwaysmale——
　　nevercouldtheyreproducewoman。Slowlytheycommencedtodevelopcertainattributesofthemindwhich，theyconsidered，placedthemuponastillhigherlevelandwhichgavethemmanyadvantagesoverus，seeingwhichtheythoughtonlyofmentaldevelopment——theirmindsbecamelikestarsandtherivers，movingalwaysinthesamemanner，nevervarying。Theycalledthistas-ad，whichmeansdoingeverythingtherightway，or，inotherwords，theWierooway。Iffoeorfriend，rightorwrong，stoodinthewayoftas-ad，thenitmustbecrushed。
　　"SoontheGalusandthelesserracesofmencametohateandfearthem。ItwasthenthattheWieroosdecidedtocarrytas-adintoeverypartoftheworld。Theywereverywarlikeandverynumerous，althoughtheyhadlongsinceadoptedthepolicyofslayingallthoseamongthemwhosewingsdidnotshowadvanceddevelopment。
　　"Ittookagesforallthistohappen——veryslowlycamethedifferentchanges;butatlasttheWierooshadwingstheycoulduse。ButbyreasonofalwaysmakingwarupontheirneighborstheywerehatedbyeverycreatureofCaspak，fornoonewantedtheirtas-ad，andsotheyusedtheirwingstoflytothisislandwhentheotherracesturnedagainstthemandthreatenedtokillthemall。Socruelhadtheybecomeandsobloodthirstythattheynolongerhadheartsthatbeatwithloveorsympathy;buttheirverycrueltyandwickednesskeptthemfromconqueringtheotherraces，sincetheywerealsocruelandwickedtooneanother，sothatnoWierootrustedanother。
　　"Alwaysweretheyslayingthoseabovethemthattheymightriseinpowerandpossessions，untilatlastcamethemorepowerfulthantheotherswithatas-adallhisown。HegatheredabouthimafewofthemostterribleWieroos，andamongthemtheymadelawswhichtookfromallbutthesefewWierooseveryweapontheypossessed。
　　"Nowtheirtas-adhasreachedahighplaneamongthem。
　　Theymakemanywonderfulthingsthatwecannotmake。Theythinkgreatthoughts，nodoubt，andstilldreamofgreatnesstocome，buttheirthoughtsandtheiractsareregulatedbyagesofcustom——theyareallalike——andtheyaremostunhappy。
　　Asthegirltalked，thetwomovedsteadilyalongthedarkpassagewaybesidetheriver。Theyhadadvancedaconsiderabledistancewhentheresoundedfaintlyfromfaraheadthemuffledroaroffallingwater，whichincreasedinvolumeastheymovedforwarduntilatlastitfilledthecorridorwithadeafeningsound。
　　Thenthecorridorendedinablankwall;butinanichetotherightwasaladderleadingaloft，andtotheleftwasadooropeningontotheriver。Bradleytriedthelatterfirstandasheopenedit，feltaheavysprayagainsthisface。Thelittleshelfoutsidethedoorwaywaswetandslippery，theroaringofthewatertremendous。Therecouldbebutoneexplanation——theyhadreachedawaterfallintheriver，andifthecorridoractuallyterminatedhere，theirescapewaseffectuallycutoff，sinceitwasquiteevidentlyimpossibletofollowthebedoftheriverandascendthefalls。
　　Astheladderwastheonlyalternative，thetwoturnedtowarditand，themanfirst，begantheascent，whichwasthroughawellsimilartothatwhichhadledhimtotheupperfloorsofthetemple。Asheclimbed，Bradleyfeltforopeningsinthesidesoftheshaft;buthediscoverednonebelowfiftyfeet。Thefirsthecametowasajar，lettingafaintlightintothewell。Ashepaused，thegirlclimbedtohisside，andtogethertheylookedthroughthecrackintoalow-ceiledchamberinwhichwereseveralGaluwomenandanequalnumberofhideouslittlereplicasofthefull-grownWierooswithwhichBradleywasnotquitefamiliar。
　　Hecouldfeelthebodyofthegirlpressedclosetohistrembleashereyesrestedupontheinmatesoftheroom，andinvoluntarilyhisarmencircledhershouldersasthoughtoprotectherfromsomedangerwhichhesensedwithoutrecognizing。
　　"Poorthings，"shewhispered。"Thisistheirhorriblefate——tobeimprisonedherebeneaththesurfaceofthecitywiththeirhideousoffspringwhomtheyhateastheyhatetheirfathers。
　　AWierookeepshischildrenthushiddenuntiltheyarefull-grownlesttheybemurderedbytheirfellows。Thelowerroomsofthecityarefilledwithmanysuchasthese。"
　　Severalfeetabovewasaseconddoorbeyondwhichtheyfoundasmallroomstoredwithfoodinwoodenvessels。Agratedwindowinonewallopenedaboveanalley，andthroughittheycouldseethattheywerejustbelowtheroofofthebuilding。Darknesswascoming，andatBradley’ssuggestiontheydecidedtoremainhiddenhereuntilafterdarkandthentoascendtotheroofandreconnoiter。