of the body-guard would stand firm under the Red
Heron's leadership.

Keeping thus upon the alert throughout the remainder of that night, the
young men were able to take prompt action when the crisis drew nigh.

Ixtli caught the first inkling of what was coming, and hastily sent
Bruno away from the peepholes, dropping a word in his ear as they both
prepared for clean work.

Through a secret entrance, shaped amidst the drapery which surrounded
the pedestal of the mighty Huitzil', a slave of the temple crept to play
the part of echo to Tlacopa's evil will; and scarcely had he secured
what was to be a place of waiting and watching than the attack was made
from out the darkness.

Ixtli flung his tunic over the slave's head, twisting both ends tightly
about his throat, effectually smothering all attempt at crying aloud for
aid, while Bruno clasped arms about his middle, holding hands powerless
to strike or to draw weapon.

A brief struggle, which produced scarcely any noise, certainly not
sufficient to reach the ears of priest or helper, then the trembling,
unnerved slave was bundled down that narrow passage, to be dumped in a
remote corner, and there effectually bound and gagged by the young men.

All this was performed without hitch or mishap, and then, nerved
to fighting pitch, Ixtli and Bruno went back beneath the stone of
sacrifice, resolved to play their part to the end in manful fashion.

There was no further fear of intrusion, for, of course, Tlacopa would
never think of endangering his own evil scheme by risking an exposure
such as would follow discovery of his slave-oracle. As Ixtli truly
said, such discovery would end in the paba's being slain by his befooled
people.

Their patience was sorely tried, even then, though a goodly portion of
the blame belonged to their fears for the Sun Children, rather than to
the actual length of waiting. But then, amidst the solemn invocations
led by the high priest, the body-guard marched into the Hall of
Sacrifice, and Bruno caught his breath sharply as he beheld--Gladys! Not
her mother, just then. For the first minute, only,--Gladys!

Then came the bitter denunciation by Tlacopa, followed by the coldly
dignified words of Victo, after which the innocent lamb yielded up
its life in order that the future might be predicted through the still
quivering heart.

With a fiercely exultant cry Tlacopa hurled the vital organ towards the
accused, it striking the mother upon an a