Then a mournful modulation lingered for a time through the air and at last died away.

“And the veil?” said Spendius.

Nowhere could it be seen.  Where was it to be found?  How could it be discovered?  What if the priests had hidden it?  Matho experienced anguish of heart and felt as though he had been deceived in his belief.

“This way!” whispered Spendius.  An inspiration guided him.  He drew Matho behind Tanith’s chariot, where a cleft a cubit wide ran down the wall from top to bottom.

Then they penetrated into a small and completely circular room, so lofty that it was like the interior of a pillar.  In the centre there was a big black stone, of semispherical shape like a tabourine; flames were burning upon it; an ebony cone, bearing a head and two arms, rose behind.

But beyond it seemed as though there were a cloud wherein were twinkling stars; faces appeared in the depths of its folds—­Eschmoun with the Kabiri, some of the monsters that had already been seen, the sacred beasts of the Babylonians, and others with which they were not acquainted.  It passed beneath the idol’s face like a mantle, and spread fully out was drawn up on the wall to which it was fastened by the corners, appearing at once bluish as the night, yellow as the dawn, purple as the sun, multitudinous, diaphanous, sparkling light.  It was the mantle of the goddess, the holy zaimph which might not be seen.

Both turned pale.

“Take it!” said Matho at last.

Spendius did not hesitate, and leaning upon the idol he unfastened the veil, which sank to the ground.  Matho laid his hand upon it; then he put his head through the opening, then he wrapped it about his body, and he spread out his arms the better to view it.

“Let us go!” said Spendius.

Matho stood panting with his eyes fixed upon the pavement.  Suddenly he exclaimed: 

“But what if I went to her?  I fear her beauty no longer!  What could she do to me?  I am now more than a man.  I could pass through flames or walk upon the sea!  I am transported!  Salammbo!  Salammbo!  I am your master!”

His voice was like thunder.  He seemed to Spendius to have grown taller and transformed.

A sound of footsteps drew near, a door opened, and a man appeared, a priest with lofty cap and staring eyes.  Before he could make a gesture Spendius had rushed upon him, and clasping him in his arms had buried both his daggers in his sides.  His head rang upon the pavement.

Then they stood for a while, as motionless as the corpse, listening.  Nothing could be heard but the murmuring of the wind through the half-opened door.

The latter led into a narrow passage.  Spendius advanced along it, Matho followed him, and they found themselves almost immediately in the third enclosure, between the lateral porticoes, in which were the dwellings of the priests.

Behind the cells there must be a shorter way out.  They hastened along.