“Welcome to the halls of the Knights of Perfect Silence.”
Clarke’s eyes lit in recognition as he searched the blaze of lights for some clue to the whereabouts of the speaker.
“Ah,” continued the voice. “Messieurs arrive a la bonne heure. They have escaped the serpents and passed the big guard, but it is le mauvais chance for them. It is an easy death to die by a snake. There are others not so easy.”
“We have no fear of you, Count Armand de Loup,” replied Clarke in a steady voice.
“Ah, then, it is that Monsieur Clarke knows me. But he cannot see me. None can. No matter, Monsieur Clarke will see me this night when, with his friend, he views the initiation of a fair novice whom he will know into the Order of the Palladium.”
“Then thank God we are not too late.” I heard Clarke mutter.
“B
