"Bring that wizard back and kill him here," shouted Janees presently,
as the spell passed off them, and like hounds from a leash they sprang
forward to do the bidding of the King.
But without the walls they could not find him. A woman had seen him
here, a child had seen him there, some slaves had watched him pass
yonder, and ran away because they noted that he had no shadow. At
length, after many a false turn, they tracked him to the southern gate,
and there the guard said that just such a beggar-man had passed through
as they were about to close the gate, vanishing into the sandstorm which
blew without. They followed, but so thickly blew that sand that they
lost each other in their search, and but just before sundown returned
to the palace singly, where in his rage the king commanded them to be
beaten with rods upon their feet.
Now the darkness came, and at the appointed hour Janees, hardening his
heart, went up into the chamber where dwelt Tua and Asti, leaving his
guard of eunuchs at the door.
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