terrified bystanders broke up suddenly, and rushed away in various
directions, covering their faces as they fled and uttering loud
cries of lamentation and despair.

Theos alone remained behind, . . resting his folded arms on the
sculptured balustrade, he gazed down, down into those crimson
depths till their strange tint dazzled and confused his sight,--
looking up for relief to the eastern horizon where the sun was
just bursting out in full splendor from a pavilion of violet
cloud, the red reflection was still before his eyes, so much so,
that the very air seemed flushed with spreading fire.

And then like the sound of a tocsin ringing in his ears, the words
of the Prophet Khosrul, as pronounced in the presence of the King,
recurred to his memory with new and suggestive force. "BLOOD--
BLOOD! 'TIS A SCARLET SEA WHEREIN LIKE A BROKEN AND EMPTY SHIP AL-
KYRIS FOUNDERS,--FOUNDERS NEVER TO RISE AGAIN!"

Still painfully oppressed by an increasing sense of some swift-
approaching disaster, his thoughts once more reverted anxiously to
Sah-luma. He must be warned,--yes!--even if he disdained all
warning! Yet, . . warn him against what? "BID HIM AVOID THE TEMPLE
AND BEWARE THE KING!"

So had said Zuriel the Mystic,--but to the laurelled favorite of
the monarch, and idol of the people, such an admonition would seem
more than absurd! It was useless to talk to him about the
prophecies of Khosrul,--he had heard them all, and laughed them to
scorn.