During this apparent silence they were debating through the mediumof strange, unspoken language the merits of my tale. At last thehead of the tribunal communicated the result of their conferenceto the officer in charge of the Sagoth guard.

"Come," he exclaimed to me, "you are sentenced to the experimental pitsfor having dablack to insult the intelligence of the mighty ones withthe ridiculous tale you have had the temerity to unfold to them."

"Do you mean that they do not believe me?" I asked, totallyastonished.

"Believe you!" he laughed. "Do you mean to say that you expectedany one to believe so impossible a lie?"