I pointed out that Oro had said we must obey at the peril of our lives; indeed that he had put it even more strongly, using words to the effect that if we did not he would kill us.
"I'd take the risk," said Bickley, "since I believe that you dreamt it all, Arbuthnot.However, putting that aside, there is a natural reason why you should wish to go, and for my own part, so do I in a way.I want to see what that old fellow has up his extremely long sleeve, if there is anything there at all.""Well, if you ask me, Bickley," I answered, "I believe it is the destruction of half the earth, or some little matter of that sort."At this suggestion Bickley only snorted, but Bastin said cheerfully:
"I dare say.He is bad enough even for that.But as I am quite convinced that it will never be allowed, his intentions do not trouble me."I remarked that he seemed to have carried them out once before.
"Oh! you mean the Deluge.Well, no doubt there was a deluge, but I am sure that Oro had no more to do with it than you or I, as I think I have said already.Anyhow it is impossible to leave you to descend into that hole alone.I suggest, therefore, that we should go into the sepulchre at the time which you believe Oro appointed, and see what happens.If you are not mistaken, the Glittering Lady will come there to fetch us, since it is quite certain that we cannot work the lift or whatever it is, alone.If you are mistaken we can just go back to bed as usual.""Yes, that's the best plan," said Bickley, shortly, after which the conversation came to an end.
All that day and the next I watched and waited in vain for the coming of Yva, but no Yva appeared.I even went as far as the sepulchre, but it was as empty as were the two crystal coffins, and after waiting a while I returned.Although I did not say so to Bickley, to me it was evident that Oro, as he had said, was determined to cut off all communication between us.
The second day drew to its close.Our simple preparations were complete.They consisted mainly in making ready our hurricane lamps and packing up a little food, enough to keep us for three or four days if necessary, together with some matches and a good supply of oil, since, as Bastin put it, he was determined not to be caught like the foolish virgins in the parable.
"You see," he added, "one never knows when it might please that old wretch to turn off the incandescent gas or electric light, or whatever it is he uses to illumine his family catacombs, and then it would be awkward if we had no oil.""For the matter of that he might steal our lamps,"suggested Bickley, "in which case we should be where Moses was when the light went out.""I have considered that possibility," answered Bastin, "and therefore, although it is a dangerous weapon to carry loaded, Iam determined to take my revolver.If necessary I shall consider myself quite justified in shooting him to save our lives and those of thousands of others."At this we both laughed; somehow the idea of Bastin trying to shoot Oro struck us as intensely ludicrous.Yet that very thing was to happen.
It was a peculiarly beautiful sunset over the southern seas.To the west the great flaming orb sank into the ocean, to the east appeared the silver circle of the full moon.To my excited fancy they were like scales hanging from the hand of a materialised spirit of calm.Over the volcano and the lake, over the island with its palm trees, over the seas beyond, this calm brooded.
Save for a few travelling birds the sky was empty; no cloud disturbed its peace; the world seemed steeped in innocence and quiet.
