“And therefore a wanderer who can swallow his own shadow can aid another wanderer in distress,” remarked Tua drily.  “My Father, I understand, who although I am still young, have seen many things and ere now been dragged out of deep water by strange hands.”

“Such as those of Phoenician pirates,” suggested Kepher.  “Well, good-bye.  I go to purchase what you need with the price of these pearls, and then the Desert calls me for a while.  Remember what I told you, and do not seek to leave this town of Tat until the rain has fallen on the mountains, and there is water in the wells.  Good-bye, Friend Asti, also; when I come again we will talk more of Doubles, until which time may the great god of Egypt—­he is called Amen, is he not?—­have you and your Lady in his keeping.”

Then he turned and went.

“What is that man?” asked Tua when they had heard the door of the house close behind him.

“Man?” answered Asti.  “I have told you that he is no man.  Do men unfold their shadows like a garment?  He is a god or a ghost, wearing a beggar’s shape.”

“Man or ghost, I like him well for he has befriended us in our need, Nurse.”

“That we shall know when he has done with us,” answered Asti.

An hour later, whilst they were still talking of Kepher and all the marvels that had befallen them, porters began to arrive, bearing bundles which, when opened, were found to contain silks and broideries in gold and silver thread, and leather richly worked, such as the Arabs make, and alabaster pots of ointments, and brass work from Syria, and copper jars from Cyprus, with many other goods, all very costly, and in number more than enough for a wealthy trader’s store.

These goods the porters set out on the mats and shelves of the large front room of the house that opened to the street, which room seemed to have been built to receive them.  Then they departed, asking no fees, and there appeared a man riding a fine white horse, who dismounted, and, bowing low towards the screen of pierced wood-work behind which Tua and Asti were hidden, laid a writing upon a little table, and rode away.  When he had gone Asti opened the door in the screen and took the writing which she found she could read well enough, for it was in the Egyptian character and language.

It proved to be the title-deed of the house and garden conveyed to them jointly, and also of the rich goods which the porters had brought.  At the foot of this document was written—­

“Received by Kepher the Wanderer in payment of the above house and land and goods, three pearls and one full meal of meat and dates.”

Then followed the seal of Kepher in wax, a finely cut scarabaeus holding the symbol of the sun between its two front feet.

“A proud seal for a tattered wanderer, though it is but his name writ in wax,” said Tua.

But Asti only answered: 

“If small pearls have such value in this city, what price will the large ones bring?  Well, let us to our business, for we have time upon our hands, and cannot live upon pearls and costly stuffs.”