myself would have had a different opinion."

"And a sagacious one no doubt!" interrupted Sah-luma coldly, and
with a dangerous flash as of steel in his eyes.. "But.. be
advised, good Zibya! ... give thine opinion no utterance!"

The old negro shrank back nervously, making numerous apologetic
gestures, and waited in abashed silence till the Laureate's
features regained their wonted soft serenity. Then he ventured to
speak again,--though not without a little hesitation.

"Concerning the topics of the hour..." he murmured timorously..
"My lord is perhaps not aware that the river itself is a subject
of much excited discussion,--the water having changed to a
marvellous blood-color during the night, which singular
circumstance hath caused a great panic among the populace. Even
now, as I passed by the embankment, the crowd there was thick as a
hive of swarming bees!"

He paused, but Sah-luma made no remark, and he continued more
glibly, "Also, to-day's 'Circular' contains the full statement of
the King's reward for the capture of the Prophet Khosrul, and the
formal Programme of the Sacrificial Ceremonial announced to take
place this evening in the Temple of Nagaya. All is set forth in
the fine words of the petty public scribes, who needs must make as
much as possible out of little,--and there is likewise a so-called
facsimile of the King's signature, which will naturally be of
supreme interest to the vulgar. Furthermore it is proclaimed that
a grand Combat of wild beasts in the Royal Arena will follow
immediately after the Service in the Temple is concluded,--