His presence in the corridors would not, therefore, be likely to excite remark.

Without any comment the Zulu took up his axe and departed, and we also departed to bed.
I seemed to have been asleep but a few minutes when I was awakened by a peculiar sensation of uneasiness.

I felt that somebody was in the room and looking at me, and instantly sat up, to see to my surprise that it was already dawn, and that there, standing at the foot of my couch and looking peculiarly grim and gaunt in the grey light, was Umslopogaas himself.
'How long hast thou been there ?' I asked testily, for it is not pleasant to be aroused in such a fashion.
'Mayhap the half of an hour, Macumazahn.

I have a word for thee.' 'Speak on,' I said, now wide enough awake.
'As I was bid I went last night to the place of the White Queen and hid myself behind a pillar in the second anteroom, beyond which is the sleeping-place of the Queen.

Bougwan (Good) was in the first anteroom alone, and outside the curtain of that room was a sentry, but I had a mind to see if I could pass in unseen, and I did, gliding behind them both.