When this trial was finished and Shadrach had been removed, howling for mercy and attempting to kiss our feet like the cur he was, the audience who had collected to hear it and to see us, the Gentile strangers, dispersed, and the members of the Privy Council, if I may call it so, were summoned by name to attend to their duties.  When all had gathered, we three were requested to advance and take seats which had been placed for us among the councillors.

Then came a pause, and, as I had been instructed that I should do, I advanced and laid Sheba’s ring upon a cushion held by one of the court officers, who carried it to Maqueda.

“Child of Kings,” I said, “take back this ancient token which you lent to me to be a proof of your good faith and mine.  Know that by means of it I persuaded our brother who is captive, a man learned in all that has to do with the past, to undertake this mission, and through him the Captain Orme who stands before you, and his servant, the soldier.”

She took it and, after examination, showed it to several of the priests, by whom it was identified.

“Though I parted from it with fear and doubt, the holy ring has served its purpose well,” she said, “and I thank you, Physician, for returning it to my people and to me in safety.”

Then she replaced it on the finger from which it had been withdrawn when she gave it to me many months before.

There, then, that matter ended.

Now an officer cried: 

“Walda Nagasta speaks!” whereon every one repeated, “Walda Nagasta speaks,” and was silent.

Then Maqueda began to address us in her soft and pleasant voice.

“Strangers from the Western country called England,” she said, “be pleased to hear me.  You know our case with the Fung—­that they surround us and would destroy us.  You know that in our extremity I took advantage of the wandering hither of one of you a year ago to beg him to go to his own land and there obtain firestuffs and those who understand them, with which to destroy the great and ancient idol of the Fung.  For that people declare that if this idol is destroyed they will leave the land they dwell in for another, such being their ancient prophecy.”

“Pardon, O Child of Kings,” interrupted Orme, “but you will remember that only the other day Barung, Sultan of the Fung, said that in this event his nation would still live on to avenge their god, Harmac.  Also he said that of all the Abati he would leave you alive alone.”

Now at these ill-omened words a shiver and a murmur went through the Council.  But Maqueda only shrugged her shoulders, causing the silver trimmings on her dress to tinkle.

“I have told you the ancient prophecy,” she answered, “and for the rest words are not deeds.  If the foul fiend, Harmac, goes I think that the Fung will follow him.  Otherwise, why do they make sacrifice to Earthquake as the evil god they have to fear?  And when some five centuries ago, such an earthquake shook down part of the secret city in the bowels of the mountains that I will show to you afterwards, why did they fly from Mur and take up their abode in the plain, as they said, to protect the god?”