ny payment at all?"

"Are you?" asked Asti, looking at him coolly. "I should never have
guessed it. Well, if you steal my goods, as you say you can, you will be
King of Thieves also."

Now those who heard this saying laughed, and the King thought it best to
join in their merriment. Then the bargaining went on, but before it was
finished, at her appointed hour Tua began to sing behind the screen.

"Have done," said the King to Asti, "to-morrow you shall be paid your
price. I would listen to that music which is above price."

So Janees listened like one fascinated, for Tua was singing her best.
Step by step he drew ever nearer to the screen, though this Asti did
not notice, for she was engaged in locking up her goods. At length
he reached it, and thrusting his fingers through the openings in the
pierced woodwork, rested his weight upon it like a man who is faint, as
perhaps he was with the sweetness of that music. Then of a sudden, by
craft or chance, he swung himself backward, and with him came the frail
screen. Down it clattered to the floor, and lo! beyond it, unveiled, but
clad in rich attire, stood Tua sweeping her harp of ivory and gold. Like
sunlight from a cloud the bright vision of her beauty struck the eyes of
the people gathered there, and seemed to dazzle them, since for a while
they were silent. Then one said:

"Surely this woman is a queen," and another answered:

"Nay, she is a goddess," but ere the words had left his lips Tua was
gone.

As for Janees the King, he stared at her open-mouthed, reeling a little
upon his feet, then, as she fled, turned to Asti, saying:

"Is this Lady your slave?"

"Nay, King, my daughter, whom you have done ill to spy upon."

"Then," said Janees slowly, "I who might do less, desire to make this
daughter of yours my Queen--do you understand, Merchant of Pearls--my
Queen, and as a gift you shall have as much gold again as I have
promised for your gems."

"Other kings have desired as much and offered more, but she is not for
you or any of them," answered Asti, looking him in the face.

Now Janees made a movement as though he would strike her, then seemed to
change his mind, for he replied only:

"A rough answer to a fair offer, seeing that none know who you are or
whence you come. But there are eyes upon us. I will talk with you again
to-morrow; till then, rest in peace."

"It is useless," began Asti, but he was already gone.

Presently Asti found Tua in the gard