The unholy desire for vengeance burns more fiercely when I talk.

'Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.' My constant prayer is that I may not meet him.

Good-night." As the hermit thus put an abrupt end to the conversation he lay down and drew his blanket over him.

Nigel followed his example, wondering at what he had heard, and in a few minutes their steady regular breathing told that they were both asleep.

Then Baderoon advanced and counted the bamboo planks from the side towards the centre of the house.