Ylga came back at last, and I got up and went quickly after her as she led down a maze of passages and alleyways. “There has been no care spared over her guarding,” she whispered, as we halted once to move a stone. “The officer of the guard is an old lover of mine, and I raised his hopes to the burning point again by a dozen words. But when I wanted to see his prisoner, there he was as firm as brass. I told him she was my sister, but that did not move him. I offered him--oh, Deucalion, it makes me blush to think of the things I did offer to that man, but there was no stirring him. He has watched the tormentors so many times, that there is no tempting him into touch of their instruments.”
“If you have failed, why bring me out here?”
“Oh, I am not inveigling you into a lover’s walk with myself, sir. You tickle yourself when you think your society is so pleasant as that.”
“Come, girl, tell me then what it is. If my temper is short, credit it against my weariness.”
“I have carried out my lord’s commands in part. I know the cell where Nais lives, and I have had speech with her, though not through the door. And moreover, I have not seen her or touched her hand.”
“Your riddles are beyond me, Ylga, but if there is a chance, let us get on and have this business done.”
“We are at the place now,” said she, with a hard little laugh, “and if you kneel on the floor, you will find an airshaft, and Nais will answer you from the lower end. For myself, I will leave you. I have a delicacy in hearing what you want to say to my sister, Deucalion.”
“I thank you,” I said. “I will not forget what you have done for me this night.”
“You may keep your thanks,” she said bitterly, and walked away into the shadows.
I knelt on the floor of the gallery, and found the air passage with my hand, and then, putting my lips to it, whispered for Nais.
The answer came on the instant, muffled and quiet. “I knew my lord would come for a farewell.”
“What the Empress said, has to be. You understand, my dear? It is for Atlantis.”
“Have I reproached my lord, by word or glance?”
“I myself am bidden to place you in the hollow between the stones, and I must do it.”
“Then my last sleep will be a sweet one. I could not ask to be touched by pleasanter hands.”