"There, Sister," said the girl, "I always told you that rough shells
have sweet nuts inside of them. Thank you for your compliment, Master of
learning. Will you tell us our fortune for nothing?"

"Yes, yes," he answered; "at least the fee I want will cost you nothing.
Now stop this nonsense," he added, anxiously, "I gather that _he_ is
cross."

"I never saw him crosser, Kaku. I am glad it is you who reads the stars,
not I. Listen!"

As he spoke an angry roar reached them from the high deck above.

"Where is that accursed astrologer?" said the roar.

"There, what did I tell you? Oh! never mind the rest of the papers, go
at once. Your robe is full of rolls as it is."

"Yes," answered Kaku as he ran to the ladder, "but the question is, how
will he like what is in the rolls?"

"The gods be with you!" cried one of the girls after him, "you will need
them all."

"And if you get back alive, don't forget your promise about the
fortunes," said the other.

A minute later this searcher of the heavens, a tall, hook-nosed man, was
prostrating himself before Abi in his pavilion on the upper deck, so low
that his Syrian-shaped cap fell from his bald head.