the
machines were big and deeply entombed in dust.

We came to the sepulchre and entered.

"Well," said Bickley, seating himself on the edge of one of the coffins
and holding up his lamp to look about him, "this place seems fairly
empty. No one is keeping the assignation, Arbuthnot, although the sun is
well down."

As he spoke the words Yva stood before us. Whence she came we did not
see, for all our backs were turned at the moment of her arrival. But
there she was, calm, beautiful, radiating light.

Chapter XXIII. In the Temple of Fate

Yva glanced at me, and in her eyes I read tenderness and solicitude,
also something of inquiry. It seemed to me as though she were wondering
what I should do under circumstances that might, or would, arise, and in
some secret fashion of which I was but half conscious, drawing an answer
from my soul. Then she turned, and, smiling in her dazzling way, said:

"So, Bickley, as usual, you did not believe? Because you did not see
him, therefore the Lord Oro, my father, never spoke with Humphrey.
As though the Lord Oro could not pass you without your knowledge, or,
perchance, send thoughts clothed in his own shape to work his errand."

"How do you know that I did not believe Arbuthnot's story?" Bickley
asked in a rather cross voice and avoiding the direct issue. "Do you
also send thoughts to work your errands clothed in your own shape, Lady
Yva?"

"Alas! not so, though perhaps I could if I might. It is very simple,
Bickley. Standing here, I heard you say that although the sun was well
down there was no one to meet you as Humphrey had expected, and from
those words and your voice I guessed the rest."

"Your knowledge of the English language is improving fast, Lady Yva.
Also, when I spoke, you were not here."

"At least I was very near, Bickley, and these walls are thinner than you
think," she answered, contemplating what seemed to be solid rock with
eyes that were full of innocence. "Oh! friend," she went on suddenly,
"I wonder what there is which will cause you to believe that you do not
know all; that there exist many things beyond the reach of your learning
and imagination? Well, in a day or two, perhaps, even you will admit as
much, and confess it to me--elsewhere," and she sighed.

"I am ready to confess now that much happens which I do not understand
at present, because I have not the key to the trick," he replied.

Yva shook her head at him and smiled again. Then s