Hiram?"

"Not before a fort--a fortnight at--at--at--soonest," said the man.
"I am in the governor's service now, and the day after to-morrow is the
great horse-fair at Niku. The young master wants some stallions bought
and there are our foals to. . . ."

"I will implore my uncle to-morrow, to spare you," cried Paula.
"I will go on my knees to him."

"He will not let him go," said the nurse. "Sebek the steward told him
all about it from me before the hour of audience and tried to have Hiram
released."

"And he said.... ?"

"The lady Neforis said it was all a mere will-o'-the-wisp, and my lord
agreed with her. Then your uncle forbade Sebek to betray the matter to
you, and sent word to me that he would possibly send Hiram to Sinai when
the horse-fair was over. So take patience, sweetheart. What are two
weeks, or at most three--and then. . . ."

"But I shall die before then!" cried Paula. "The Nabathaean, you say,
is here and willing to go."

"Yes, Mistress."

"Then we will secure him," said Paula resolutely. Perpetua, however, who
must have discussed the matter fully with her fellow-countryman, shook
her head mournfully and said: "He asks too much for us!"