IN PRISON It was with hearts full of the gloomiest forebodings that we returned to the amir, and these we soon found to be fully justified.

The athalebs descended at that point from which they had risen--namely, on the terrace immediately in front of the cavern where they had been confined.

We then dismounted, and Layelah with the Kosekin guards accompanied us to our former chambers.

There she left us, saying that a communication would be sent to us.
We were now left to our own conjectures.
"I wonder what they will do to us ?" said I.
"It is impossible to tell," said Almah.
"I suppose," said I, "they will punish us in some way; but then punishment among the Kosekin is what seems honor and reward to me.
Perhaps they will spare our lives, for that in their eyes ought to be the severest punishment and the deepest disgrace imaginable." Almah sighed.
"The Kosekin do not always act in this matter as one would suppose," said she.

"It is quite likely that they may dread our escaping, and may conclude to sacrifice us at once." On the next jom I had a visit from the Kohen Gadol.