Forthwith all in the kneeling assembly, swaying from side to side and dashing up the sulphur with their hands⁠—first the right hand and a puff of dust, and then the left⁠—began once more to chant their strange litany. When they reached, “Not to eat flesh or fish, that is the law,” Moreau held up his lank white hand.

“ Stop! ” he cried, and there fell absolute silence upon them all.

I think they all knew and dreaded what was coming. I looked round at their strange faces. When I saw their wincing attitudes and the furtive dread in their bright eyes, I wondered that I had ever believed them to be men.

“That law has been broken!” said Moreau.

“None escape,” from the faceless creature with the silvery hair. “None escape,” repeated the kneeling circle of beast people.