waddling back towards me. He was odious and I knew that we hated each
other.

"Greeting, Egyptian," he said, mopping his brow with his sleeve for
the sun was hot. "An honour for you! A great honour! The King of kings
commands your presence. Yes, he would speak with you with his own
lips, and with that abortion of a servant of yours also. Come! Come
swiftly!"

"Swift as an arrow, Houman," I answered laughing, "seeing that for
three moons I, like an arrow, have rested upon the string and flown no
nearer to his Majesty."

"Three moons!" screeched the eunuch. "Why, many wait three years and
many go to the grave still waiting; bigger men than you, Egyptian,
though I hear you do claim to be of royal blood yonder on the Nile.
But talk not of arrows flying towards the most High, for surely it is
ill-omened and might earn you another honour, that of the string," and
he made a motion suggestive of a cord encircling his throat. "Man,
leave your bow behind! Would you appear before the King armed? Yes,
and your dagger also."

"Perchance a lion might appear before the King and he does not leave
his claws and teeth behind," I answered drily as I divested myself of
my weapons.

Then we started, the three of us, leaving the chariot in charge of a
soldier.

"Draw your sleeves over your hands," said the eunuch. "None must