East. I would ask if they are the same, or others?"

"I do not know, O Idernes," answered Peroa; "I only know that the lord
Shabaka brought them from the East. Inquire of him, if it be your
pleasure."

"Shabaka again----" began Idernes, but I cut him short, saying,

"Yes, O Satrap, Shabaka again. I won those pearls in a bet from the
Great King, and with them a certain weight of gold. This I think you
knew before, since your messenger of a while ago was whipped for
trying to steal them, which under the rods he said he did by command,
O Satrap."

To this bold speech Idernes made no answer. Only his captains frowned
and many of the Egyptians murmured approval.

After this the feast went on without further incident for a while, the
Easterns always drinking more wine, till at length the tables were
cleared and all of the meaner sort departed from the hall, save the
butlers and the personal servants such as Bes, who stood behind the
seats of their masters. There came a silence such as precedes the
bursting of a storm, and in the midst of it Idernes spoke, somewhat
thickly.

"I did not come here, O Peroa," he said, "from the seat of government
at Sais to eat your meats and drink your wine. I came to speak of high
matters with you."

"It is so, O Satrap," answered Peroa. "And now what may be your will?