THE BLACK DWARF

Some two hours had passed since the break-up of the assembly in the great hall.  Prince Aziel was seated in his chamber, when the keeper of the door announced that a woman was without who desired to speak with him.  He gave orders that she should be admitted, and presently a veiled figure entered the room and bowed before him.

“Be pleased to unveil, and to tell me your business,” he said.

With some reluctance his visitor withdrew the wrapping from her head, revealing a face which Aziel recognised as one that he had seen among the waiting women who attended on Elissa.

“My message is for your ear, Prince,” she said, glancing at the man who had ushered her into the chamber.

“It is not my custom to receive strangers thus alone,” said the prince; “but be it as you will,” and he motioned to the servant to retire without the door.  “I await your pleasure,” he added, when the man had gone.

“It is here,” she answered, and drew from her bosom a little papyrus roll.

“Who wrote this?” he asked.

“I know not, Prince; it was given to me to pass on to you.”

Then he opened the roll and read.  It ran thus:  “Though we parted with bitter words, still in my sore distress I crave the comfort of your counsel.  Therefore, since I am forbidden to speak with you openly, meet me, I beseech you, at moonrise in the palace garden under the shade of the great fig tree with five roots, where I shall be accompanied only by one I trust.  Bring no man with you for my safety’s sake.—­Elissa.”

Aziel thrust the scroll into his robe, and thought awhile.  Then he gave the waiting lady a piece of gold and said:—­

“Tell her who sent you that I obey her words.  Farewell.”

This message seemed to puzzle the woman, who opened her lips to speak.  Then, changing her mind, she turned and went.

Scarcely had she gone when the Phoenician, Metem, was ushered into the room.

“O Prince,” he said maliciously, “pardon me if I caution you.  Yet in truth if veiled ladies flit thus through your apartments in the light of day, it will reach the ears of the holy but violent Issachar, of whose doings I come to speak.  Then, Prince, I tremble for you.”

Aziel made a movement half-impatient and half-contemptuous.  “The woman is a serving-maid,” he said, “who brought me a message that I understand but little.  Tell me, Metem, for you know this place of old, does there stand in the palace garden a great fig tree with five roots?”

“Yes, Prince; at least such a tree used to grow there when last I visited this country.  It was one of the wonders of the town, because of its size.  What of it?”

“Little, except that I must be under it at moonrise.  See and read, since whatever you may say of yourself, you are, I think, no traitor.”

“Not if I am well paid to keep counsel, Prince,” Metem answered with a smile.  Then he read the scroll.