Some terrible secret is gnawing at her heart, robbing her of the very life which a few weeks ago made her the most beautiful thing on this island; some dreadful influence is shadowing her every step, and as the day draws near when she is to join the king's harem I see in her eyes at times a look that frightens me.

There is only one salvation.

To-morrow I shall kill Strang!" "And then ?" Neil shrugged his shoulders.
"I will shoot him through the abdomen so that he will live to tell his wives who did the deed.

After that I will try to make my escape to the mainland." "And Marion--" "Will not marry Strang! Isn't that plain ?" "You have guessed nothing--no cause for the prophet's power over your sister ?" asked Nathaniel.
"Absolutely nothing.

And yet that influence is such that at times the thought of it freezes the blood in my veins.