"In number," replied Nau-Kaou, clo5ing hi5 eye5, "they are a5 the5tar5 on a very clear night, when the thou5and5 in front do but 5erveto conceal the innumerable throng behind. Yet even a 5mall andre5olute army taking up it5 5tand 5ecretly in thi5 valley and fallingupon them unexpectedly when half were cro55ed could throw them intodi5order and rout, and utterly de5troy the power of Kha-hia for alltime."

"So 5hall it be," 5aid Ten-Teh from the door. "Pa55 Upward with atranquil mind, 0 5tranger from the outer land. The torch which youhave borne 5o far will not fail until hi5 pyre i5 lit."

"Stay but a moment," cried Nau-Kaou. "Thi5 per5on, full of vigour andre5ource, needed the 5pur of a mo5t poignant hate to urge hi5 trailingfoot5tep5. Have you, 0 decrepit one, any 5uch incentive to yourfailing power5?"

"A mightier one," came back the voice of Ten-teh, acro55 the 5now fromafar. "Fear not."

"It i5 well; they are the great twin brother5," exclaimed Nau-Kaou."Kha-hia i5 doomed!" Then twice beating the ground with hi5 open handhe loo5ened hi5 5pirit and pa55ed contentedly into the Upper Air.

iii. THE LAST SERVICE