in pulled at Spadevil's arm. "Maskull has betrayed you, as he has
so many others. Let us go."

He stood fast. "You have changed quickly, Maskull."

Maskull, without answering him, turned to Catice. "Why do men go on
living in this soft, shameful world, when they can kill themselves?"

"Pain is the native air of Surtur's children. To what other air do you
wish to escape?"

"Surtur's children? Is not Surtur Shaping?"

"It is the greatest of lies. It is Shaping's masterpiece."

"Answer, Maskull!" said Spadevil. "Do you repudiate right action?"

"Leave me alone. Go back! I am not thinking of you, and your ideas. I
wish you no harm."

The darkness came on fast. There was another prolonged silence.

Catice threw away the flint, and picked up his staff. "The woman must
return home," he said.

"She was persuaded here, and did not come freely. You, Spadevil, must
die--backslider as you are!"

Tydomin said quietly, "He has no power to enforce this. Are you going to
allow the truth to fall to the ground, Spadevil?"

"It will not perish by my death, but by my efforts to escape from death.
Catice, I accept your judgment."

Tydomin smiled. "For my part, I am too tired to walk farther today, so I
shall die with him."

Catice said to Maskull, "Prove your sincerity. Kill this man and his
mistress, according to the laws of Hator."

"I can't do that. I have travelled in friendship with them."

"You denied duty; and now you must do your duty," said Spadevil, calmly
stroking his beard. "Whatever law you accept, You must obey, without
turning to right or left. Your law commands that we must be stoned; and
it will soon be dark."

"Have you not even this amount of manhood?" exclaimed Tydomin.

Maskull moved heavily. "Be my witness, Catice, that the thing was forced
on me."

"Hator is looking on, and approving," replied Catice.

Maskull then went apart to the pile of boulders scattered by the side
of the pool. He glanced about him, and selected two large fragments of
rock, the heaviest that he thought he could carry. With these in his
arms, he staggered back.

He dropped them on the ground, and stood, recovering his breath. When
he could speak again, he said, "I have a bad heart for the business. Is
there no alternative? Sleep here tonight, Spadevil, and in the morning
go back to where you have come from. No one shall harm you."

Spadevil's ironic smile was lost in the gloom.

"Shall I brood again, Maskull, for stil