It seemed to rouse the passion of the hearers, for grave faces around me began to work, and long-drawn sighs came from their lips.
Then at a word from the figure four men advanced, bearing something between them, which they laid on the altar.

To my amazement I saw that it was a great yellow panther, so trussed up that it was impotent to hurt.

How such a beast had ever been caught alive I know not.

I could see its green cat's eyes glowing in the dark, and the striving of its muscles, and hear the breath hissing from its muzzled jaws.
The figure raised a knife and plunged it into the throat of the great cat.

The slow lapping of blood broke in on the stillness.