Now Lakla gently loosed the arms of the O'Keefe, and for another instant those two looked into each other's souls.

The handmaiden smiled tremulously.
"I would it might have been otherwise, Larry darlin'," she whispered.
"But at least--we pass together, dearest of mine!" She leaped to the window.
"Yolara!" the golden voice rang out sweetly.

The clanging ceased.
"Draw back your men.

We open the Portal and come forth to you and the Shining One--Larry and I." The priestess's silver chimes of laughter rang out, cruel, mocking.
"Come, then, quickly," she jeered.

"For surely both the Shining One and I yearn for you!" Her malice-laden laughter chimed high once more.
"Keep us not lonely long!" the priestess mocked.
Larry drew a deep breath, stretched both hands out to me.
"It's good-by, I guess, Doc." His voice was strained.