So straight did she gaze thereat that she never thought to look behind her.

When she was quite close Bougwan touched her on the arm, and she caught her breath and turned, and I saw the knife flash, and heard it strike.

Well was it for Bougwan that he had the skin of iron on him, or he had been pierced.

Then for the first time he saw who the woman was, and without a word he fell back astonished, and unable to speak.

She, too, was astonished, and spoke not, but suddenly she laid her finger on her lip, thus, and walked towards and through the curtain, and with her went Bougwan.
So close did she pass to me that her dress touched me, and I was nigh to slaying her as she went.