The King's Talisman — page 142: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE KINGS TALISMAN. 133 — means he has learned that you have been seen to go in there. _ This I learned from an officer who had command of the en- terprise, and whom I met on his way thither not ten’ minutes ere I met you. Knowing this, you will not wonder that I thought it strange to find you in company, and in apparent command of a body of the king’s own eunuchs.” ‘That seeming anomaly shall ere long be explained to thee, Nabal, and I thank thee for the information thou hast given; but I have one more favor to ask.” N ame ib.” ‘Go you on the morrow and do the king’s bidding, but ere you take the censors before him tell them to have no fear—tell them to answer all questions boldly and truth- fully—tell them that Abdah Nazor knows of their situation, and that harm shall not come upon them. Will you tell them this?” ipsa Beds eg ‘“‘’Then peace be with thee. The king has closed one path against me, but the granite walls of Petra open wide their arms in a hundred places to let me in.” As the dervise spoke, he returned to his horse and re- mounted, at the same time explaining to Noureddin what had occurred. The eunuchs were struck with a deadly fear at the interruption, and instinctively they gathered about their young leader, but he soon reassured them, and once more emboldened by hopes of safety, they urged their horses onward. Only afew rods were traversed ere Abdah Nazor reached another of those huge buildings, or rather excaya-_ tions, carved out from the solid rock, before which he bade Noureddin stop the train. «‘ You will not stop here,” the young man said, in amaze- ment, as he recognized the old temple of Taurus, which had been closed by a royal edict for over half a century. ‘Yes, my son. Wait youhere while I enter by a private way and throw open the doors.” Eomichooks (Efe)