The King's Talisman — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

THE KINGS TALISMAN. 37 Modad, while a demoniac look of exultation overspread his features. An inkling of the truth began to penetrate the old man’s mind, and he looked inquiringly at the king for an explana- tion. Modad seemed to comprehend the meaning of that look, for he soon continued: ‘“You need have no fear of the fidelity of those whom I have sent to Khaibar, for but few of them will ever live to return. ‘l'en of my Nubian eunuchs, to whom I would trust my own life, will bear me tidings of the success of the mission. ~The rest will never live to re-cross the desert! The Nubians have steel and poison, and: they well know their use!” A cold shudder ran through the frame of Al-Bassa, as he comprehended the bloody scheme of the king, nor could he hide his disgust and disapprobation. “Tis bloody business,” he murmured, half uncon- — sclously. : ‘‘ But not half so bloody as might. be the business it pre- vents,” returned Modad. ‘‘ But come,” he continued, half rising from his seat, ‘‘ you may rest assured that not one word of what has happened will ever be known to the peo- ple; and now I would have thee go to my treasury and fix the new account of our gold and jewels. Your ingenuity will suggest the statements that are necessary.” Al- Bassa bowed low in token of acquiescence, and soon withdrew from the monarch’s presence; and Modad, when he saw his officer depart, knew that the bands were already loosened which had bound the old man to his interest, but _ his principal aim had been accomplished, and he tried to per suade himself that he could now get along without his coun- selor’s assistance. Modad still reclined upon his couch after Al-Bassa had left. It-wanted a good hour yet of the time at which he gave audience to the citizens, and he was upon the point of Eomicbooks EO