"
Did this explain the Avec's physical prowess, on the one hand, and
the fact that he would not stoop to take that ring by force, on
the other?
"Just one more thing, Jan Lucar. You have absolutely no fear that
I may fail tomorrow?"
"Not the slightest, my lord. You cannot fail!"
"Why not?"
"I have already said--because you are from the Jarados."
And Chick, facing the greatest experience of his life, submerged
in a sea wherein only a few islands of fact were visible, had to
be content with this: his only friends were those who were firmly
convinced of something which, he knew only too well, was a flat
fraud! All this backing was based upon a misled faith.
No, not quite. Was there not that strange feeling that the Jarados
himself was at his back? And had he not found that the prophet had
been real? Did he not feel, as positively as he felt anything,
that the Jarados was still a reality?
Chick went to bed that night with a light heart.
XL
THE TEMPLE OF THE BELL
It was hard for Chick to remember all the details of that great
day. Throughout all the morning and afternoon he remained in his
apartments. Breakfast over, the Rhamdas told him his part in
certain ceremonies, such as need not be detailed here. They were
very solicitous as to his food and comfort, and as to his feelings
and anticipations. His nonchalance pleased them greatly.
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