Here is a note of the amount," and he produced his tablets.
"If half of what I hear is true, rogue," answered Ithobal savagely, "the tormentor and the headsman alone could satisfy all my debt to you.

Say, merchant, what return have you made me for that sackful of gold which you bore hence some few days gone ?" "The best of all returns, King," answered Metem cheerfully, although in truth he began to feel afraid.

"I have kept my word, and fulfilled the command of the king.

I have made it impossible that the prince Aziel should wed the daughter of Sakon." "Yes, rogue, you have made it impossible by causing her to be consecrated Baaltis, and thus building a barrier which even I shall find too hard to climb.

It is scarcely to be hoped that now she will choose me of her own will, and to offer violence to the Baaltis is a sacrilege from which any man--yes, even a king--may shrink, for such deeds draw the curse of Heaven.