the oracle, and it has spoken against me," said
Metem, wringing his hands in affected dismay. "Well, I abide the result.
Queen, you offered me forty shekels and for forty you shall take them,
for the honour of the holy gods, though in truth I lose ten shekels
by the bargain. Give your order to the treasurer, and he will pay me
to-morrow. So now farewell," and bowing till his forehead touched the
ground, he kissed the hem of her robe.

Elissa bent her head in acknowledgment of the salute, and as he rose her
eyes met his. In them was written a warning which he could not fail to
understand, and although she did not speak, her lips seemed to shape the
word, "Remember."

Ten minutes later Metem stood in the chamber of Aziel.

"Has she seen the letter, and what did she answer?" asked the prince,
springing up almost as he passed the threshold.

"In the name of all the gods of all the nations I pray you not to
speak so loud," answered Metem when he had closed the door and looked
suspiciously about him. "Oh! if ever I find myself safe in Tyre again,
I vow a gift, and no mean one, to each of them that has a temple there,
and they are many; for no single god is strong enough to bring me safe
out of this trouble. Have I seen the lady Elissa? Oh, yes, I have seen
her. And what think you that this innocent lamb, this undefiled dove of
yours, threatens me with now? Death! nothing less than death, if I will
not carry out her foolish wishes. More, she means the threat, and has
the strength to fulfil it, for to the lady Baaltis is given power over
the lives of men, or at the least, if she takes life none question the
authority of the goddess. Unless I do her will I am a dead man, and that
is the reward I get for mixing myself up in your mad love affairs."

"Hold!" broke in Aziel, "and tell me, man, what is her will?"

"Her will is--what do you think? To meet you in farewell an hour before
you leave this city. Well, as my throat is at stake, by Baal! it shall
be gratified if I can find the means, though I tell you that it is
madness and nothing else. But listen to the story----" and he repeated
all that had passed. "Now," he added, "are you ready to take the risk,
Prince?"

"I should be a coward indeed if I did not," answered Aziel, "when she, a
woman, dares a heavier."

"And I am a coward, that is why I take it, for otherwise I also must
dare a heavier. But what of Issachar? This meeting can scarcely be kept
a secret from him."