ight
inquire of him whether he had always found me truthful. For, Prince,
those Easterns set much store by truth which here in Egypt is worshipped
as a goddess. There they do not worship her because she lives in the
heart of every man, and some women."

Now all stared at Bes who continued to stare at the ceiling, and I rose
to say something, I know not what, when suddenly the doors opened and
through them appeared heralds, crying,

"Hearken, Peroa, Prince of Egypt by grace of the Great King. A message
from the Great King. Read and obey, O Peroa, Prince of Egypt by grace of
the Great King!"

As they cried thus from between them emerged a man whose long Eastern
robes were stained with the dust of travel. Advancing without salute he
drew out a roll, touched his forehead with it, bowing deeply, and handed
it to the prince, saying,

"Kiss the Word. Read the Word. Obey the Word, O servant of our Master,
the King of kings, beneath whose feet we are all but dust."

Peroa took the roll, made a semblance of lifting it to his forehead,
opened and read it. As he did so I saw the veins swell upon his neck and
his eyes flash, but he only said,

"O Messenger, to-night I feast, to-morrow an answer shall be given to
you to convey to the Satrap Idernes. My servants will find you food and
lodging. You are dismissed."

"Let the answer be given early lest you also should be dismissed, O
Peroa," said the man with insolence.

Then he turned his back upon the prince, as one does on an inferior, and
walked away, accompanied by the herald.

When they were gone and the doors had been shut, Peroa spoke in a voice
that was thick with fury, saying,

"Hearken, all of you, to the words of the writing."

Then he read it.

"From the King of kings, the Ruler of all the earth, to Peroa, one
of his servants in the Satrapy of Egypt,

"Deliver over to my servant Idernes without delay, the person of
Amada, a lady of the blood of the old Pharaohs of Egypt, who is
your relative and in your guardianship, that she may be numbered
among the women of my house."

Now all present looked at each other, while Amada stood as though she
had been frozen into stone. Before she could speak, Peroa went on,

"See how the King seeks a quarrel against me that he may destroy me and
bray Egypt in his mortar, and tan it like a hide to wrap about his feet.
Nay, hold your peace, Amada. Have no fear. You shall not be sent to the
East; first will I ki