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t was in our power to choose for ourselves the final moment…we were yet masters of our fates。
All action seems useless when hope is dead； but certain things needed to be done； and Harry and I bestirred ourselves。 We extinguished the flame in all the urns but one to save the oil； not caring to depart in darkness。
Our supply of water； we found； was quite sufficient to last for several days； if used sparingly； for we intended to support life so long as we had the fuel。 Then responsibility ceases； man has a right to hasten that which fortune has made inevitable。
The hours passed by。
We talked very little； at times Desiree and Harry conversed in subdued tones which I did not overhear； I was engaged with my own thoughts。 And they were not unpleasant； if； looking death in the face； a man can preserve his philosophy unchanged； he has made the only success in life that is worth while。
We ate and drank； but gave neither water nor food to our fellow prisoner。 Not because I really expected to force negotiations with the Incas…but the thing was possible and was worth a trial。 I knew them well enough to appraise correctly the value of any safe…conduct they might give us。
I was a little surprised to find in Desiree no levity； the vulgar prop for courage based on ignorance。 There was a tenderness in her manner； especially toward Harry； that spoke of something deeper and awoke in my own breast a deeper respect for her。 The world had not known Desiree Le Mire…it had merely been fascinated and amused by her。
Many hours had passed in this tomblike apathy。 Two or three times I had advised Desiree to lie down to rest and； if possible； to sleep。 She had refused； but I became insistent； and Harry added his voice to my own。 Then； to please us； she consented； we arranged the cover on the granite couch and made her as fortable as possible。
In five minutes she was fast asleep。 Harry stood a few feet away from the couch； looking down at her。 I spoke to him； in a low tone：
〃And you must rest too； Hal。 One of us must remain on watch； I'll take it first and call you when I feel drowsy。 It may be a needless precaution； but I don't care to wake up and find myself in the condition of our friend yonder。〃
He wanted to take the first watch himself； but I insisted； and he arranged our ponchos on the ground； and soon he too was sleeping easily and profoundly。 I looked from him to Desiree with a smile； and reflection that Socrates himself could not have met misfortune with more sublime posure。
It was possible that the stone curtain across the doorway could be raised noiselessly； and that made it necessary to keep my eyes fastened on it almost continuously。 This became irksome； besides； twice I awoke to the fact that my thoughts had carried me so far away from my surroundings that the stone could have been raised to the roof and I would not have noticed it。
So； using my jacket for a cushion； I seated myself on the ground in the threshold； leaning my back against the stone； and gave myself up to meditation。
I had sat thus for three hours or more； and was thinking of calling Harry to relieve me； when I felt a movement at my back。 I turned quickly and saw that the stone was moving upward。
Slowly it rose； by little frequent jerks； not more than an eighth of an inch at a time。 In fifteen minutes it was only about four inches from the ground。 There was no sound save a faint grating noise from above。
I stood several feet away； holding one of the golden clubs in my hand； thinking it unnecessary to rouse Harry until the space was wide enough to cause apprehension。 Or rather； because I had no fear of an assault…I was convinced that our ruse had succeeded； and that they were about to municate with us by means of the quipos。
The stone was raised a little over a foot； then became stationary。 I waited； expecting to see a bundle of quipos thrust through the opening； but they did not appear。
Instead； five golden vessels were pushed across the ground until they were inside； clear of the stone； I could see the black； hairy hands and arms； which were immediately withdrawn。
Then the granite curtain fell with a crash that caused me to start with its suddenness and awakened both Harry and Desiree。
Two of the vessels contained water； two oil； and the other dried fish。 Harry； who had sprung to his feet excitedly； grumbled in disgust。
〃At least； they might have sent us some soup。 But what's their idea？〃
〃It means that Desiree was right；〃 I observed。 〃They have some way of watching us。 And； seeing that we refused to provide their beloved monarch with provender； they have sent him an allowance from the pantry。〃
Harry grinned。
〃Will he get it？〃
〃Hardly；〃 said I with emphasis。 〃We'll make 'em treat with us if it's only to observe their diplomacy。 There'll be a message from them within twenty…four hours。 You'll see。〃
〃Anyway； we know now that they can raise that stone whenever they feel like it。 But in the name of Archimedes； how？〃
He advanced to the doorway and examined the block of granite curiously； but there was no clue to its weight or thickness from the inside。 I explained that there were several ways by which the thing could be raised； but that the most probable one was by means of a rolling pulley； which required merely some rounded stones and a flat surface above； with ropes of hide for stays。
It had been several hours since we had last eaten； and we decided to at once convey to the spies without our intentions concerning our prisoner。 So we regaled ourselves with dried fish and water； taking care not to approach the king； who had rolled over on his side and lay facing us； looking for all the world； in the dim light； like a black dog crouched on the floor。
Harry relieved me at my post against the door； and I lay down to sleep。 Desiree had seated herself beside him； and the low tones of their voices came to me as I lay on the couch （which Desiree had insisted I should occupy） in an indistinct； musical murmur。 This for perhaps ten minutes； then I slept。
That became our routine。 During the many weary hours that followed there was never a moment when one of us was not seated with his back against the stone across the doorway； we dared not trust our eyes。 Usually Harry and Desiree watched together； and； when I relieved them； slept side by side on the couch。
Sometimes； when we were all awake； Desiree was left on guard alone； but Harry and I were never both asleep at the same time。
An estimate of the time we spent thus would be the wildest guess； for time was heavy and passed on leaden feet。 But I should say we had been imprisoned for something like four days； possibly five； when the monotony came to an abrupt end。
I had e off watch； and Harry and Desiree had taken my place。 Before I lay down I had taken some water to the prisoner； for we had some time before admitted the necessity of giving him drink。 But of food he had had none。
Harry told me afterward that I had slept for two or three hours； but it seemed to me rather as many minutes； when I was awakened by the sound of his voice calling my name。 Glancing at the doorway； I sprang to my feet。
The stone was slowly rising from the floor； already the