THE COURT OF DEATH Now the curtains were open.

Before us appeared a chamber hollowed from the thickness of the altar, and in its centre a throne, and on the throne a figure clad in waves of billowy white flowing from the head over the arms of the throne down to its marble steps.

We could see no more in the comparative darkness of that place, save that beneath the folds of the drapery the Oracle held in its hand a loop-shaped, jewelled sceptre.
Moved by some impulse, we did as Oros had done, prostrating ourselves, and there remained upon our knees.

At length we heard a tinkling as of little bells, and, looking up, saw that the sistrum-shaped sceptre was stretched towards us by the draped arm which held it.

Then a thin, clear voice spoke, and I thought that it trembled a little.