"O Queen, the small gate was open, for people passed in and out of it
continually, making preparation for to-morrow's march, it seems that
about an hour ago the lady Merytra came to the gate and showed Pharaoh's
signet to the officer, saying that she was on Pharaoh's business. With
her went a fat man dressed in the robe of a master of camels that in the
darkness the officer thought was a certain Arab of the Desert who has
been to and fro about the camels. It is believed that this man was
none other than the Prince Abi, dressed in the Arab's robe, and that he
escaped from his cell by some secret passage which was known to him,
a passage of the old priests. The Arab, whose robes he wore, cannot be
found, but perhaps he is asleep in some corner."
"Bar the gates," said Tua, "and let none pass in or out. Asti, take men
with you, and go search the room where Merytra slept. Perchance she has
returned again."
So Asti went, and a while after re-appeared carrying something enveloped
in a cloth.
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