THE HERALD OF THE BEAST
of the Beast cried out once more, and sharp and stern were his accents:
"Do you not see that I am here. I am here because I have found you. I am here because the curse of the walls has lost power. I am here because Timaride is waiting and tirelessly questioning. Do you not hear the gentle laughter of the brave and trusting child? Do you not hear the roaring of the Beast?"
From beyond the wall broke out the terrible roaring of the Beast.
"But the walls are firm for ever by the spell I cast, my fortress cannot be destroyed," cried Gurof.
And the Black One answered, imperiously:
"I tell thee, man, the curse of the walls is dead. But if you don't believe, but still think you can save yourself, pronounce the curse again."
Gurof shuddered. He indeed believed that the curse was dead, and all that was around him whispered to him the terrible news. The Herald of the Beast had pronounced the fearful truth. Gurof's head ached, and he felt weary of the hot kisses that clinging, caressing Fever still gave him. The words of the sentence seemed to strain his consciousness, and the Herald of the
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