He made a swift leap behind the guards; was lost to sight.
Once more the thunderous clanging rang through the castle.
Lakla drew herself erect; down upon her dropped the listening aloofness.

Gravely she bowed her head.
"It is time, O love of mine." She turned to O'Keefe.

"The Silent Ones say that the way of fear is closed, but the way of love is open.

They call upon us to redeem our promise!" For a hundred heart-beats they clung to each other, breast to breast and lip to lip.

Below, the clangour was increasing, the great trunk swinging harder and faster upon the metal gates.