Then he would have given it back to me but I refused to take it, saying, "It is not well that this mighty symbol should hang about the neck of a private man whence it might be stolen or lost." "Or who might be murdered for its sake," interrupted Peroa.
"Yes, Prince.

Therefore take it and hide it in the safest and most secret place in the palace, and with it these pearls that are too priceless to be flaunted about the streets of Memphis at night, unless indeed----" and I turned to look for Amada, but she was gone.
So the seal and the pearls were taken and locked in the box with the impress and borne away.

Nor was I sorry to see the last of them, wisely as it happened.

Then I bade the Prince and his company good night, and presently was driving homeward with Bes in the chariot.
Our way led us past some large houses once occupied by officers of the Court of Pharaoh, but now that there was no Court, fallen into ruins.
Suddenly from out of these houses sprang a band of men disguised as common robbers, whose faces were hidden by cloths with eye-holes cut in them.

They seized the horses by the bridles, and before we could do anything, leapt upon us and held us fast.