now retarded justice, out of pity. Nevertheless, excess of pity in
great Kings too oft degenerates into weakness--and this we cannot
suffer to be said of us, not even for the sake of sparing thy few
poor remaining years. Thou hast overstepped the limit of our
leniency,--and madman as thou art, thou showest a madman's
cunning,--thou dost break the laws and art dangerous to the
realm,--thou art proved a traitor, and must straightway die. Thou
art accused..."

"Of honesty!" interrupt Khosrul suddenly, with a touch of
melancholy satire in his tone. "I have spoken Truth in an age of
lies! 'Tis a most death-worthy deed!"

He ceased, and again seemed to retire within himself as though he
were a Voice entering at will into the carven image of man.
Zephoranim frowned angrily, yet answered nothing--and a brief
pause ensued. Theos grew more and more painfully interested in the
scene,--there was something in it that to his mind seemed
fatefully suggestive and fraught with impending evil. Suddenly
Sah-luma looked up, his bright face alit with laughter.

"Now by the Sacred Veil,"--he said gayly, addressing himself to
the King--"Your Majesty considers this venerable gentleman with
too much gravity! I recognize in him one of my craft,--a poet,
tragic and taciturn of humor, and with a taste for melodramatic
simile, . . marked you not the mixing of his word-colors in the
picture he drew of Al-Kyris, foundering like a wrecked ship in a
blood-red sea, whilst overhead trembled a white sky set thick with
blackening stars? As I live, 'twas not ill-devised for a madman's
brain! ... and so solemn a ranter should serve your Majesty to