“What bargain, Lord-of-the-Sea.”

“That you would bring me and a Virgin of the Sun, who while she was of the earth was named Quilla, together, Larico, and enable her to return from those of the Sun to my arms, Larico.”

Now his face grew troubled and he answered: 

“Lord, I have thought much of this matter, desiring above all things to fulfil my word and I grieve to tell you that it is impossible.”

“Why, Larico?”

“Because I find that the law of my faith is against it, Lord.”

“Is that all, Larico?” I asked with a smile.

“No, Lord.  Because I find that the Inca would not suffer it and swears to kill all who attempt to touch the lady Quilla.”

“Is that all, Larico?”

“No, Lord.  Because I find that a woman who has been betrothed to one of the royal blood may never pass to another man.”

“Now perhaps we come nearer to it, Larico.  You mean that if this happened and perchance after all Urco should come to the throne, as he might do if Kari his brother died—­as any man may die—­he would hold you to account.”

“Yes, Lord, if that chanced, as chance it may, since Urco still lives and I hear is gathering new armies among the mountains, certainly he would hold me to account for I have heard as much.  Also our father the Sun would hold me to account and so would the Inca who wields his sceptre upon earth.”

I asked him why he did not think of all these things before when he had much to gain instead of now when he had gained them through me, and he answered because he had not considered them enough.  Then I pretended to grow angry and exclaimed: 

“You are a rogue, Larico!  You promise and take your pay and you do not perform.  Henceforth I am your enemy and one to whom the Inca hearkens.”

“He hearkens still more to this god the Sun and to me who am the voice of God, White Man,” he answered, adding insolently, “You would strike too late; your power over me and my fortunes is gone, White Man.”

“I fear it is so,” I replied, pretending to be frightened, “so let us say no more of the matter.  After all, there are other women in Cuzco besides this fair bride of the Sun.  Now before you go, High-Priest, will you who are so learned help me who am ignorant?  I have been striving to master your method of conveying thoughts by means of knots.  Here I have a bundle of strings which I cannot altogether understand.  Be pleased to interpret them to me, O most holy and upright High-Priest.”

Then from my robe I drew out those knotted fibres that I had taken from his messenger and held them before Larico’s eyes.

He stared at them and turned pale.  His hand groped for his dagger till he saw that mine was on the hilt of Wave-Flame, whereon he let it fall.  Next the thought took him that in truth I could not read the knots which he began to interpret falsely.

“Have done, Traitor,” I laughed, “for I know them all.  So Urco may wed Quilla and I may not.  Also cease to fret as to that messenger of yours for whom you seek far and near, since he is safe in my keeping.  To-morrow I take him to deliver his message not to Urco, but to Kari—­and then, Traitor?”