“Perchance I did, I or the gods of which I am the instrument.  At least I remember that I sent you certain messages in answer to a prayer for help that reached me, here in my darkness.  For know that since we parted I have gone quite blind so that I must use this maiden’s eyes to read what is written in yonder divining-cup.  Well, it makes the darkness of this sepulchre easier to bear and prepares me for my own.  ’Tis full a hundred and twenty years since first I looked upon the light, and now the time of sleep draws near.  Come hither, my nephew, and kiss me on the brow, remembering in your strength that a day will dawn when as I am, so shall you be, if the gods spare you so long.”

So I kissed him, not without fear, for the old man was unearthly.  Then he sent Karema from the place and bade me tell him my story, which I did.  Why he did this I cannot say, since he seemed to know it already and once or twice corrected me in certain matters that I had forgotten, for instance as to the exact words that I had used to the Great King in my rage and as to the fashion in which I was tied in the boat.  When I had done, he said,

“So you gave the name of Amada to the Great King, did you?  Well, you could have done nothing else if you wished to go on living, and therefore cannot be blamed.  Yet before all is finished I think it will bring you into trouble, Shabaka, since among many gifts, the gods did not give that of reason to women.  If so, bear it, since it is better to have trouble and be alive than to have none and be dead, that is, for those whose work is still to do in the world.  And you, or rather Bes, stole the White Signet of signets of which, although it is so simple and ancient, there is not the like for power in the whole world.  That was well done since it will be useful for a while.  And now Peroa has determined to rebel against the King, which also is well done.  Oh! trouble not to tell me of that business for I know all.  But what would you learn of me, Shabaka?”

“I am instructed to learn from you the end of these great matters, my Uncle.”

“Are you mad, Shabaka, that you should think me a god who can read the future?”

“Not at all, my Uncle, who know that you can if you will.”

“Call the maiden,” he said.

So Bes went out and brought her in.

“Be seated, Karema, there in front of the altar, and look into my eyes.”

She obeyed and presently seemed to go to sleep for her head nodded.  Then he said,

“Wake, woman, look into the water in the bowl upon the altar and tell me what you see.”

She appeared to wake, though I perceived that this was not really so, for she seemed a different woman with a fixed face that frightened me, and wide and frozen eyes.  She stared into the silver bowl, then spoke in a new voice, as though some spirit used her tongue.

“I see myself crowned a queen in a land I hate,” she said coldly, a saying at which I gasped.  “I am seated on a throne beside yonder dwarf,” a saying at which Bes gasped.  “Although so hideous, this dwarf is a great man with a good heart, a cunning mind and the courage of a lion.  Also his blood is royal.”