draped as a wedding veil might do. A few seconds later she threw off the
antimacassar and cast the bowl, in which the fire was now out, on to the
floor. Then she stood up with wide eyes, looking wondrous lovely and,
notwithstanding her lack of height, majestic.

"I have been in another world," she said in a low voice as though she
spoke to the air, "I have travelled a great way. I found myself in a
small place made of stone. It was dark in the place, the fire in that
bowl lit it up. There was nothing there except a beautiful statue of a
naked baby which seemed to be carved in yellow ivory, and a chair made
of ebony inlaid with ivory and seated with string. I stood in front of
the statue of the Ivory Child. It seemed to come to life and smile at
me. Round its neck was a string of red stones. It took them from its
neck and set them upon mine. Then it pointed to the chair, and I sat
down in the chair. That was all."

Harût followed her words with an interest that I could see was intense,
although he attempted to hide it. Then he asked me to translate them,
which I did.

As their full sense came home to him, although his face remained
impassive, I saw his dark eyes shine with the light of triumph. Moreover
I heard him whisper to Marût words that seemed to mean,

"The Sacred Child accepts the Guardian. The Spirit of the White Kendah
finds a voice again."

Then as though involuntarily, but with the utmost reverence, both of
them bowed deeply towards Miss Holmes.