But Pharaoh waved his sceptre, and they were still, only Abi cried in a great voice.
"Who has dared to whisper a lie so monstrous ?" And he glared first at Kaku and then at the captain of his guard who stood behind him, and choked in wrath, or fear, or both.
"Suspect not your officers, Prince," went on the Pharaoh, still smiling, "for on my royal word they are innocent.

Yet, Abi, a pavilion set upon the deck of a ship is no good place to plot the death of kings.

Pharaoh has many spies, also, at times, the gods, to whom as you say he is so near, whisper tidings to him in his sleep.

Suspect not your officers, Abi, although I think that to yonder Master of the Stars who stands behind you, I should be grateful, since, had you attempted to execute this madness, but for him I might have been forced to kill you, Abi, as one kills a snake that creeps beneath his mat.

Astrologer, you shall have a gift from me, for you are a wise man.