"I come to give commands, not to receive them, Captain of the King."

"Seize Shabaka and his servants," said the officer briefly, whereon
the soldiers rode forward to surround us.

I waited till they were near at hand. Then suddenly I plunged my hand
beneath my robe and drew out the small, white seal which I held before
the eyes of the officer, saying,

"Who is it that dares to lay a finger upon the holder of the King's
White Seal? Surely that man is ready for death."

The officer stared at it, then leapt from his horse and flung himself
face downwards on the ground, crying,

"It is the ancient signet of the Kings of the East, given to their
first forefather by Samas the Sungod, on which hangs the fortunes of
the Great House! Pardon, my lord Shabaka."

"It is granted," I answered, "because what you did you did in
ignorance. Now go to the Satrap Idernes and say to him that if he
would have speech with the bearer of the King's seal which all must
obey, he will find him at Memphis. Farewell," and with Bes and the six
hunters I rode through the guards, none striving to hinder me.

"That was well done, Master," said Bes.

"Yes," I said. "Those two messengers who went ahead of us brought
orders to the frontier guard of Idernes that I should be taken to him