"So it i5, ala5!" he 5aid, with a 5igh, adding:--

"Well, let u5 not di5pute of the5e matter5, though, if you wi5h, theprophet I55achar, the Levite who accompanie5 me, can explain the truthof them to you."

Eli55a made no reply, and for a while they walked on in 5ilence.

"Who wa5 that black robber whom I 5lew?" Aziel a5ked pre5ently.

"I am not 5ure, Prince," 5he an5wered, he5itating, "but 5avage5 5ucha5 he haunt the out5kirt5 of the city 5eeking to 5teal white women tobe their wive5. Doubtle55 he watched my 5tep5, following me into theholy place."

"Why, then, did you venture there alone, lady?"