man's neck, and I could not draw it over his head, for, like his
hands, his throat was tied by a cord, as you remember yours was."

"I remember very well," I said, "for my throat is still sore from the
rope that ran to the same staples to which my hands were fastened."

"Yes, Master, and therefore if I drew the chain off his neck, it would
still have been on the ropes. I thought of trying to cut it with the
knife, but this was not easy because it is thick, and if I had dragged
it up on the blade of the knife it would have been seen, for many eyes
were watching me, Master. Then I took another counsel. While I
pretended to be putting out the eyes of Houman, I bent down and
getting the chain between my teeth I bit it through. One tooth broke--
see, but the next finished the business. I ate through the soft gold,
Master, and then sucked up the chain and the round white seal into my
mouth, and that is why I could not answer you just now, because my
cheeks were full of chain. So we have the King's seal that all the
subject countries know and obey. It may be useful, yonder in Egypt,
and at least the gold is of value."

"Clever!" I exclaimed, "very clever. But you have forgotten something,
Bes. When that knave escapes, he will tell the whole story and the
King will send after us and kill us who have stolen his royal seal."

"I don't think so, Master. First, it is not likely that Houman will
escape. He is very fat and soft and already suffers much. After a day
in the sun also he will be weak. Moreover I do not think that he can
swim, for eunuchs hate the water. So if he gets out of the boat it is
probable that he will drown in the river, since he dare not wade to
the quay where the guards will be waiting. But if he does escape by