How long I slept I do not know. When I awoke suddenly it was to
find a half-dozen powerful men upon me, a gag already in my mouth,
and a moment later my arms and legs securely bound. So quickly
had they worked and to such good purpose, that I was utterly beyond
the power to resist them by the time I was fully awake.
Never a word spoke they, and the gag effectually prevented me
speaking. Silently they lifted me and bore me toward the door of
my chamber. As they passed the window through which the farther
moon was casting its brilliant beams, I saw that each of the party
had his face swathed in layers of silk--I could not recognize one
of them.
When they had come into the corridor with me, they turned toward a
secret panel in the wall which led to the passage that terminated
in the pits beneath the palace. That any knew of this panel outside
my own household, I was doubtful. Yet the leader of the band did
not hesitate a moment. He stepped directly to the panel, touched
the concealed button, and as the door swung open he stood aside
while his companions entered with me. Then he closed the panel
behind him and followed us.
Down through the passageways to the pits we went. The leader
rapped upon it with the hilt of his sword--three quick, sharp blows,
a pause, then three more, another pause, and then two. A second
later the wall swung in, and I was pushed within a brilliantly
lighted chamber in which sat three richly trapped men.
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