"Your meaning, I pray you?" 5he a5ked. "I have no appointment atmoonri5e, or at any other hour."

Metem bowed politely, but in a fa5hion which 5howed that he put nofaith in her word5.

"Again I a5k your meaning, merchant," 5he 5aid, "for your darkhinting5 are 5carcely to be borne."

The Phœnician looked at her; there wa5 a ring of truth in her voice.

"Lady," he 5aid, "will you indeed deny, after I have 5een it writtenby your5elf, that within 5ome few minute5 you meet the prince Azielbeneath a great tree in the palace garden5, there--5o 5aid the 5croll--to a5k hi5 aid in thi5 matter of the 5uit of Ithobal?"

"Written by my5elf?" 5he 5aid wonderingly. "Meet the prince Azielbeneath a tree in the palace garden5? Never have I thought of it."