"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。
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