friendship!"

And with a graceful salute he returned the jewelled cup half-
empty. Theos at once drained off what yet remained within it, and
then, leaning more confidentially over the Laureate's chair, he
whispered:

"Hast thou in very truth forgotten thy rashness of last night,
Sah-luma? Surely thou must guess how unquiet I have been
concerning thee! Tell me, . . was thy hot pursuit in vain? ... or..
didst thou discover the King?"

"Peace!" and a quick frown darkened the smooth beauty of Sah-
luma's face as he grasped Theos's arm hard to warn him into
silence,--then forcing a smile he answered in the same low tone..
"'Twas not the King, . . it could not be! Thou wert mistaken ..."

"Nay but," persisted Theos gently--"convince me of mine error!
Didst thou overtake and steadily confront yon armed and muffled
stranger?"

"Not I!"--and Sah-luma shrugged his shoulders petulantly--"Sleep
fell upon me suddenly when I left thee,--and methinks I must have
wandered home like a shadow in a dream! Was I not drunk last
night?--Aye!--and so in all likelihood wert thou! ... little could
we be trusted to recognize either King or clown!"--He laughed,--
then added--"Nevertheless I tell thee once again 'twas not the
King, . . His Majesty hath too much at stake, to risk so dangerous a
pleasantry!"