great or small, has an impress in all lands. If the seal is produced
to him, he compares it with the impress and should the two agree, he
obeys the order that is brought as though the King had given it in
person. When we reached the Court doubtless Houman would have returned
the seal, but seeing that the King was, or feigned to be drunk, waited
for fear lest it should be lost, and with it his life. Then he was
seized as you saw, and in his terror forgot all about the seal, as did
the King and his officers."

"But, surely, Bes, those who took Houman to the boat would have
removed it."

"Master, even the most clear-sighted do not see well at night. At any
rate my hope was that they had not done so, and that is why I waded
out to prick the eyes of Houman. Moreover, as I had hoped, so it was;
there beneath his robe I saw the chain. Then I spoke to him, saying,

"'I am come to put out your eyes, as you deserve, seeing how you have
treated my master. Still I will spare you at a price. Give me the
King's ancient white seal that opens all doors, and I will only make a
pretence of blinding you. Moreover I will cut your cords nearly
through, so that when the night comes you can break them, roll into
the river and escape.'

"'Take it if you can,' he said, 'and use it to injure or destroy that
accursed one.'"

"So you took it, Bes."

"Yes, Master, but not easily. Remember, it was on a chain about the