"Yet one word, my King: to-morrow night the rare blue lily in the
hanging-gardens will open. Hystaspes, Intaphernes, Gobyras, Croesus and
Oropastes, the greatest horticulturists at your court, would very much
like to see it. May they be allowed to visit the gardens for a few
minutes? Kandaules shall see that they enter into no communication with
the Egyptian."

"Kandaules must keep his eyes open, if he cares for his own life.--Go!"

Boges made a deep obeisance and left the king's apartment. He threw a
few gold pieces to the slaves who bore the torches before him. He was so
very happy. Every thing had succeeded beyond his expectations:--the fate
of Nitetis was as good as decided, and he held the life of Kandaules, his
hated colleague, in his own hands.

Cambyses spent the night in pacing up and down his apartment. By cock-
crow he had decided that Nitetis should be forced to confess her guilt,
and then be sent into the great harem to wait on the concubines. Bartja,
the destroyer of his happiness, should set off at once for Egypt, and on
his return become the satrap of some distant provinces. He did not wish
to incur the guilt of a brother's murder, but he knew his own temper too
well not to fear that in a moment of sudden anger, he might kill one he
hated so much, and therefore wished to remove him out of the reach of his
passion.

Two hours after the sun had risen, Cambyses was riding on his fiery
steed, far in front of a Countless train of followers armed with shields,
swords, lances, bows and lassos, in pursuit of the game which was to be
found in the immense preserves near Babylon, and was to be started from