admire a brave soldier. If relief can be gained for your plague,
I will use interest to procure it for you."

The man's thanks came in a mumble from his wrecked mouth, and
some of those near shuddered in affected disgust. I turned on them
with a black brow: "Your charity, my lords, seems of as small
account as your courage. You affected a fine disbelief of Zaemon's
sayings, and a simpering contempt for his priesthood, but when it
comes to laying a hand on him, you show a discretion which, in the
old days, we should have called by an ugly name. I had rather be
Tarca, with all his uncleanness, than any of you now as you stand."

With which leave-taking I waited coldly till they gave me my
due salutation, and then walked out of the banqueting-hall without
offering a soul another glance. I took my way to the grand gate of
the pyramid, called for the officer of the guard, and demanded
exit. The man was obsequious enough, but he opened with some
demur.

"My lord's attendants have not yet come up?"

"I have none."

"My lord knows the state of the streets?"

"I did twenty years back. I shall be able to pick my way."

"My lord must remember that the city is beleaguered," the
fellow persisted. "The people are hungry. They prowl in bands
after nightfall, and--I make no question that my lord would conquer