CHAPTER VIII

THE ARRIVAL IN CONSTANTINOPLE


Uel, the son of Jahdai, was in the habit of carrying the letter received
from the mysterious stranger about with him in a breast pocket. How many
times a day he took it out for reexamination would be difficult to say.
Observing the appearance of signs of usage, he at length wrapped it in
an envelope of yellow silk. If he had thought less of it, he would have
resorted to plain linen.

There were certain points in the missive which seemed of greater
interest to him than others. For example, the place whence it had been
addressed was an ever recurring puzzle; he also dwelt long upon the
sentence which referred so delicately to a paternal relationship. The
most exigent passages, however, were those relative to the time he might
look for the man's coming. As specially directed, he had taken note of
the day of the delivery of the letter, and was greatly surprised to find
the messenger had arrived the last day of the year permitted him. The
punctuality of the servant might be in imitation of a like virtue of the
master. If so, at the uttermost, the latter might be expected six months
after receipt of the letter. Or he might appear within the six months.
The journeys laid out were of vast distances, and through wild and
dangerous countries, and by sea as well. Only a good traveller could
survive them at all; to execute them in such brief space seemed