were merely generalised. It was obviously the work of primitive
artists. The statues stood erect with knees closed and arms hanging
straight down their sides. All three were exactly alike.

As soon as they were directly opposite, Corpang halted.

"Is this a representation of your three Beings?" asked Maskull, awed
by the spectacle in spite of his constitutional audacity.

"Ask no questions, but kneel," replied Corpang. He dropped onto his
own knees, but Maskull remained standing.

Corpang covered his eyes with one hand, and prayed silently. After a
few minutes the light sensibly faded. Then Maskull knelt as well,
but he continued looking.

It grew darker and darker, until all was like the blackest night.
Sight and sound no longer existed; he was alone with his own spirit.

Then one of the three Colossi came slowly into sight again. But it
had ceased to be a statue--it was a living person. Out of the
blackness of space a gigantic head and chest emerged, illuminated by
a mystic, rosy glow, like a mountain peak bathed by the rising sun.
As the light grew stronger Maskull saw that the flesh was translucent
and that the glow came from within. The limbs of the apparition were
wreathed in mist.

Before long the features of the face stood out distinctly. It was
that of a beardless youth of twenty years. It possessed the beauty
of a girl and the daring force of a man; it bore a mocking, cryptic