Theos, impelled by curiosity, would have taken the ring up to
examine it, had not Sah-luma restrained him by a warning pressure
of his arm,--he was only just able to see that it was in the shape
of a coiled-up serpent with ruby eyes, and a darting tongue tipped
with small diamonds. What chiefly concerned him however was the
peculiar change in Sah-luma's demeanor,--something in the aspect
or speech of Gazra had surely exercised a remarkable influence
upon him. His frame trembled through and through with scarcely
controlled excitement, . . his eyes shot forth an almost evil fire, . .
and a cold, calm, somewhat cruel smile played on the perfect
outline of his delicate month. Taking the signet from Gazra's
palm, he kissed it with a kind of angry tenderness, . . then
replied..

"Tell thy mistress we shall obey her behest! Doubtless she knows,
as she knows all things, that to-night. I am summoned by express
command, to the Palace of our sovereign lord the King.. I am bound
thither first as is my duty, but afterwards ..." He broke off as
if he found it impossible to say more, and waved his hand in a
light sign of dismissal. But Gazra did not at once depart. He
again smiled that lowering smile of his which resembled nothing so
much as a hung criminal's death-grin, and returned the jewelled
signet to his breast.

"Afterwards! ... yes.. afterwards!" he said in emphatic yet mock
solemn tones.. "Even so!" Advancing a little he laid his heavy,
muscular hand on Theos's chest, and appeared mentally to measure
his height and breadth--"Strong nerves! ... iron sinews! ...
goodly flesh and blood! ..'twill serve!"--and his great,
protruding eyes gleamed maliciously as he spoke,--then bowing