"Paaker is secured to us," replied Katuti positively. "Who will answer
for him?" asked Ani.

"His life shall be in your hand," replied Katuti gravely. "My shrewd
little dwarf Nemu knows that he has committed some secret crime, which
the law punishes by death."

The Regent's countenance cleared.

That alters the matter," he said with satisfaction. "Has he committed a
murder?"

"No," said Katuti, "but Nemu has sworn to reveal to you alone all that he
knows. He is wholly devoted to us."

"Well and good," said Ani thoughtfully, but he too is imprudent--much too
imprudent. You are like a rider, who to win a wager urges his horse to
leap over spears. If he falls on the points, it is he that suffers; you
let him lie there, and go on your way."

"Or are impaled at the same time as the noble horse," said Katuti
gravely. "You have more to win, and at the same time more to lose than
we; but the meanest clings to life; and I must tell you, Ani, that I work
for you, not to win any thing through your success, but because you are
as dear to me as a brother, and because I see in you the embodiment of my
father's claims which have been trampled on."

Ani gave her his hand and asked:

"Did you also as my friend speak to Bent-Anat? Do I interpret your