was able to enter this palace, and we can
escape very easily. Collect all thy treasures. I shall be back here
immediately and take thee."

"Whither art Thou going?"

"I am seeking thy lord. I shall not go without leaving him a memento."

"Thou art mad!"

"Be silent!" interrupted Lykon, pale from anger. "Thou wishest yet to
defend him."

The Phoenician woman tottered; she clinched her fists, and an evil
light flashed in her eyes.

"But if Thou canst not find him?"

"Then I will kill one of his sleeping warriors. I will set fire to the
palace. Do I know what I shall do? But I will not go without leaving a
memento."

The great eyes of the Phoenician woman had such a ghastly look that the
Greek was astonished.

"What is the matter with thee?" asked Lykon.

"Nothing; listen. Thou hast never been so like the prince as today.
Hence, if Thou wish to do a good thing."

She put her face to his ear and whispered.

The Greek listened in amazement.

"Woman," said he, "Hades speaks through thee."

"Yes; suspicion will be turned on him."

"That is better than a dagger," said Lykon, laughing. "Never could I
have come on that idea. Perhaps both would be better?"

"No! Let her live. This will be my vengeance."

"What a wicked soul!" whispered Lykon. "But Thou pleasest me. We will
pay them both in kingly fashion."

He withdrew to the window and vanished. Kama leaned out after him, and
forgetting every other thing, listened in a fever.

Perhaps a quarter of an hour after the departure of Lykon, at the side
of the fig grove rose the piercing shriek of a woman. It was repeated a
couple of times, and then ceased.

Instead of the expected delight, terror seized Kama. She fell on her
knees, and gazed into the dark garden with a wandering stare.

Below was heard almost noiseless running; there was a squeak at the
pillar in the antechamber, and in the window appeared Lykon again in a
dark mantle. He was panting with violence, and his hands trembled.

"Where are thy jewels?" whispered he.

"Let me alone," replied she.

The Greek seized her by the shoulder.

"Wretch! Dost Thou not understand that before sunrise they will
imprison thee, and will strangle thee a couple of days later?"

"I am sick."

"Where are thy jewels?"

"Under the bed."

Lykon went to her bedchamber; with the light of a lamp he drew out a
heavy casket, threw a mantle over Kama, and pulled her by the arm.

"Make ready! Where are the doors