erved for traitors.
Further, his possessions were to be forfeited to the State, and his wife
and children and household to become public slaves, which meant that the
males would be condemned to serve as soldiers, and the females allotted
to certain officials in the order of their rank.

Several of those who had conspired with him to betray us to the Fung
were also deprived of their possessions and condemned to the army, which
was their form of penal servitude.

Thus amidst a mighty wailing of those concerned and of their friends
and relatives ended this remarkable trial, of which I give some account
because it throws light upon the social conditions of Abati. What hope
is there for a people when its criminals are sent, not to jail, but to
serve as soldiers, and their womenfolk however innocent, are doomed
to become the slaves of the judges or whoever these may appoint. Be it
added, however, that in this instance Shadrach and his friends deserved
all they got, since, even allowing for a certain amount of false
evidence, undoubtedly, for the purposes of robbery and private hate,
they did betray those whom their ruler had sent them to guide and
protect.

When this trial was finished and Shadrach had been removed, howling for
mercy and attempting to kiss our feet like the cur he was, the audience
who had collected to hear it and to see us, the Gentile strangers,
dispersed, and the members of the Privy Council, if I may call it so,
were summoned by name to attend to their duties. When all had gathered,
we three were requested to advance and take seats which had been placed
for us among the councillors.

Then came a pause, and, as I had been instructed that I should do, I
advanced and laid Sheba's ring upon a cushion held by one of the court
officers, who carried it to Maqueda.

"Child of Kings," I said, "take back this ancient token which you lent
to me to be a proof of your good faith and mine. Know that by means of
it I persuaded our brother who is captive, a man learned in all that
has to do with the past, to undertake this mission, and through him the
Captain Orme who stands before you, and his servant, the soldier."

She took it and, after examination, showed it to several of the priests,
by whom it was identified.

"Though I parted from it with fear and doubt, the holy ring has served
its purpose well," she said, "and I thank you, Physician, for returning
it to my people and to me in safety."

Then she replac