The prince of india vol 1

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Title:ThePrinceofIndiaOrWhyConstantinopleFellVolume1
Author:Lew.Wallace
ReleaseDate:November,2004[EBook#6848][Yes,wearemorethanoneyear
aheadofschedule][ThisfilewasfirstpostedonFebruary1,2003]
Edition:10
Language:English
Charactersetencoding:ASCII
***STARTOFTHEPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHEPRINCEOF


INDIAVOlume1***

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THEPRINCEOFINDIAORWHYCONSTANTINOPLEFELL
BYLEW.WALLACE
VOL.I.

Rise,too,yeShapesandShadowsofthePastRisefromyourlongforgotten
grazesatlastLetusbeholdyourfaces,letushearThewordsyouutteredin
thosedaysoffearRevisityourfamiliarhauntsagainThescenesoftriumphand
thescenesofpainAndleavethefootprintsofyourbleedingfeetOncemoreupon
thepavementofthestreetLONGFELLOW

CONTENTS

BOOKITHEEARTHANDTHESEAAREALWAYSGIVINGUPTHEIR
SECRETS
I.THENAMELESSBAYII.THEMIDNIGHTLANDINGIII.THE
HIDDENTREASURE
BOOKIITHEPRINCEOFINDIA
I.AMESSENGERFROMCIPANGOII.THEPILGRIMATELKATIFIII.
THEYELLOWAIRIV.ELZARIBAHV.THEPASSINGOFTHECARAVAN
VI.THEPRINCEANDTHEEMIRVII.ATTHEKAABAVIII.THE
ARRIVALINCONSTANTINOPLEIX.THEPRINCEATHOMEX.THE


ROSEOFSPRING
BOOKIIITHEPRINCESSIRENE
I.MORNINGONTHEBOSPHORUSII.THEPRINCESSIRENEIII.THE
HOMERICPALACEIV.THERUSSIANMONKV.AVOICEFROMTHE
CLOISTERVI.WHATDOTHESTARSSAY?VII.THEPRINCEOFINDIA

MEETSCONSTANTINEVIII.RACINGWITHASTORMIX.INTHE
WHITECASTLEX.THEARABIANSTORYTELLERXI.THETURQUOISE
RINGXII.THERINGRETURNSXIII.MAHOMMEDHEARSFROMTHE
STARSXIV.DREAMSANDVISIONSXV.DEPARTUREFROMTHE
WHITECASTLEXVI.ANEMBASSYTOTHEPRINCESSIRENEXVII.
THEEMPEROR’SWOOINGXVIII.THESINGINGSHEIKXIX.TWO
TURKISHTALESXX.MAHOMMEDDREAMS
BOOKIVTHEPALACEOFBLACHERNE
I.THEPALACEOFBLACHERNEII.THEAUDIENCEIII.THENEW
FAITHPROCLAIMEDIV.THEPANNYCHIDESV.APLAGUEOFCRIME
VI.ABYZANTINEGENTLEMANOFTHEPERIODVII.ABYZANTINE
HERETICVIII.THEACADEMYOFEPICURUSIX.AFISHERMAN’S
FETEX.THEHAMARI

BOOKI
THEEARTHANDTHESEAAREALWAYSGIVINGUPTHEIRSECRETS
THEPRINCEOFINDIA

CHAPTERI.
THENAMELESSBAY

InthenoonofaSeptemberdayintheyearofourdearLord1395,amerchant
vesselnoddedsleepilyuponthegentleswellsofwarmwaterflowinginuponthe


Syriancoast.Amodernseafarer,lookingfromthedeckofoneoftheMessagerie
steamersnowplyingthesamelineoftrade,wouldregardhercuriously,thankful
tothecalmwhichheldherwhileheslakedhiswonder,yetmorethankfulthathe
wasnotofherpassage.
Shecouldnothaveexceededahundredtonsburthen.Atthebowandsternshe

wasdecked,andthosequarterswerefairlyraised.Amidshipshewaslowand
open,andpiercedfortwentyoars,tentoaside,allswayinglistlesslyfromthe
narrowportsinwhichtheywerehung.Sometimestheyknockedagainsteach
other.Onesail,squareandofadingywhite,droopedfromabroadyard-arm,
whichwasitselftilted,andnowandthencreakedagainsttheyellowmast
complainingly,unmindfulofthesimpletackledesignedtokeepitincontrol.A
watchmancrouchedinthemeagreshadeofafan-likestructureoverhangingthe
bowdeck.Theroofingandthefloor,whereexposed,wereclean,evenbright;in
allotherpartssubjecttotheweatherandthewashtherewasonlytheblackness
ofpitch.Thesteersmansatonabenchatthestern.Occasionally,fromforceof
habit,herestedahandupontherudder-oartobesureitwasyetinreach.With
exceptionofthetwo,thelookoutandthesteersman,allonboard,officers,
oarsmen,andsailors,wereasleep—suchconfidencecouldaMediterraneancalm
inspireinthoseaccustomedtolifeonthebeautifulsea.AsifNeptunenever
becameangrythere,andblowinghisconch,andsmitingwithhistrident,
splashedtheskywiththeyeastofwaves!However,in1395Neptunehad
disappeared;likethegreatgodPan,hewasdead.
Thenextremarkablethingabouttheshipwastheabsenceofthesignsof
businessusualwithmerchantmen.Therewerenobarrels,boxes,bales,or
packagesvisible.Nothingindicatedacargo.Inherdeepestundulationsthe
water-linewasnotoncesubmerged.Theleathershieldsoftheoar-portswere
highanddry.Possiblyshehadpassengersaboard.Ah,yes!Thereunderthe
awning,stretchedhalfwayacrossthedeckdominatedbythesteersman,wasa
groupofpersonsallunlikeseamen.Pausingtonotethem,wemayfindthe
motiveofthevoyage.
Fourmencomposedthegroup.Onewaslyinguponapallet,asleepyetrestless.
Ablackvelvetcaphadslippedfromhishead,givingfreedomtothickblackhair
tingedwithwhite.Startingfromthetemples,abeardwithscarceasuggestionof
graysweptindarkwavesupontheneckandthroat,andeveninvadedthepillow.
Betweenthehairandbeardtherewasanarrowmarginofsallowfleshfor

featuressomewhatcrowdedbyknotsofwrinkle.Hisbodywaswrappedina


loosewoollengownofbrownish-black.Ahand,apparentlyallbone,restedupon
thebreast,clutchingafoldofthegown.Thefeettwitchednervouslyinthe
loosenedthongsofold-fashionedsandals.Glancingattheothersofthegroup,it
wasplainthissleeperwasmasterandtheyhisslaves.Twoofthemwere
stretchedonthebareboardsatthelowerendofthepallet,andtheywerewhite.
ThethirdwasasonofEthiopiaofunmixedbloodandgiganticframe.Hesatat
theleftofthecouch,cross-legged,and,liketherest,wasinadoze;nowand
then,however,heraisedhishead,and,withoutfullyopeninghiseyes,shooka
fanofpeacockfeathersfromheadtofootovertherecumbentfigure.Thetwo
whiteswerecladingownsofcoarselinenbeltedtotheirwaists;while,savinga
cincturearoundhisloins,thenegrowasnaked.
Thereisoftenmuchpersonalrevelationtobegleanedfromthepropertiesaman
carrieswithhimfromhome.Applyingtherulehere,bythepallettherewasa
walking-stickofunusuallength,andseverelyhand-wornalittleabovethe
middle.Inemergencyitmighthavebeenusedasaweapon.Threebundles
looselywrappedhadbeencastagainstatimberoftheship;presumablythey
containedtheplunderoftheslavesreducedtotheminimumallowanceoftravel.
Butthemostnoticeableitemwasaleatherrollofveryancientappearance,held
byanumberofbroadstrapsdeeplystampedandsecuredbybucklesofametal
blackenedlikeneglectedsilver.
Theattentionofacloseobserverwouldhavebeenattractedtothisparcel,notso
muchbyitsantiqueshowing,asbythegripwithwhichitsownerclungtoitwith
hisrighthand.Eveninsleephehelditofinfiniteconsequence.Itcouldnothave
containedcoinoranybulkymatter.Possiblythemanwasonsomespecial
commission,withhiscredentialsintheoldroll.Ay,whowashe?
Thusstarted,theobserverwouldhavebenthimselftostudyoftheface;and
immediatelysomethingwouldhavesuggestedthatwhilethestrangerwasofthis

periodoftheworldhedidnotbelongtoit.SuchwerethemagiciansofthestorylovingAl-Raschid.OrhewasofthetypeRabbinicalthatsatwithCaiphasin
judgmentuponthegentleNazarene.Onlythecenturiescouldhaveevolvedthe
apparition.Whowashe?
Inthecourseofhalfanhourthemanstirred,raisedhishead,lookedhurriedlyat
hisattendants,thenatthepartsoftheshipinview,thenatthesteersmanstill
dozingbytherudder;thenhesatup,andbroughttherolltohislap,whereatthe
rigorofhisexpressionrelaxed.Theparcelwassafe!Andtheconditionsabout


himwereastheyshouldbe!
Henextsetaboutundoingthebucklesofhistreasure.Thelongfingerswere
expert;butjustwhentherollwasreadytoopenheliftedhisface,andfixedhis
eyesuponthesectionofblueexpanseoutsidetheedgeoftheawning,and
droppedintothought.Andstraightwayitwassettledthathewasnota
diplomatistorastatesmanoramanofbusinessofanykind.Thereflection
whichoccupiedhimhadnothingtodowithintriguesorstatecraft;itscentrewas
inhisheartasthelookproved.So,intendermoods,afathergazesuponhis
child,ahusbandatthebelovedwife,restfully,lovingly.
Andthatmomenttheobserver,continuinghisstudy,wouldhaveforgottenthe
parcel,thewhiteslaves,thegiganticnegro,theself-willedhairandbeardof
pride—thefacealonewouldhaveheldhim.ThecountenanceoftheSphinxhas
nobeautynow;andstandingbeforeit,wefeelnostiroftheadmirationalwaysa
certificatethatwhatwearebeholdingischarmingoutofthecommonlines;yet
wearedrawntoitirresistibly,andbyawishvague,foolish—sofoolishwe
wouldhesitatelongbeforeputtingitinwordstobeheardbyourbestlover—a
wishthatthemonsterwouldtellusallaboutitself.Thefeelingawakenedbythe
faceofthetravellerwouldhavebeensimilar,foritwasdistinctlyIsraelitish,
withexaggeratedeyessetdeeplyincavernoushollows—amobilemask,infact,
concealingalifeinsomewayunlikeotherlives.Unlike?Thatwasthevery
attraction.Ifthemanwouldonlyspeak,whatatalehecouldunfold!

Buthedidnotspeak.Indeed,heseemedtohaveregardedspeechaweaknessto
befortifiedagainst.Puttingthepleasantthoughtaside,heopenedtheroll,and
withexceedingtendernessoftouchbroughtforthasheetofvellumdryto
brittleness,andyellowasafadedsycamoreleaf.Therewerelinesuponitasofa
geometricaldrawing,andaninscriptioninstrangecharacters.Hebentoverthe
chart,ifsuchitmaybecalled,eagerly,andreaditthrough;then,withasatisfied
expression,hefoldeditbackintothecover,rebuckledthestraps,andplacedthe
parcelunderthepillow.Evidentlythebusinessdrawinghimwasproceedingas
hewouldhavehadit.Nexthewokethenegrowithatouch.Theblackinsalute
benthisbodyforward,andraisedhishandspalmout,thethumbsatthe
forehead.Attentionsingularlyintensesettleduponhiscountenance;heappeared
tolistenwithhissoul.Itwastimeforspeech,yetthemastermerelypointedto
oneofthesleepers.Thewatchfulnegrocaughttheidea,andgoingtotheman,
arousedhim,thenresumedhisplaceandposturebythepallet.Theaction
revealedhisproportions.HelookedasifhecouldhaveliftedthegatesofGaza,


andbornethemeasilyaway;andtothestrengththereweresuperaddedthegrace,
suppleness,andsoftnessofmotionofacat.Onecouldnothavehelpedthinking
theslavemighthavealltheelementstomakehimasuperioragentinfieldsof
badaswellasgood.
Thesecondslavearose,andwaitedrespectfully.Itwouldhavebeendifficultto
determinehisnationality.Hehadtheleanface,thehighnose,sallow
complexion,andlowstatureofanArmenian.Hiscountenancewaspleasantand
intelligent.Inaddressinghim,themastermadesignswithhandandfinger;and
theyappearedsufficient,fortheservantwalkedawayquicklyasifonanerrand.
Ashorttime,andhecamebackbringingacompanionofthegenussailor,very
red-faced,heavilybuilt,stupid,hisrollinggaitunrelievedbyasuggestionof
goodmanners.Takingpositionbeforetheblack-gownedpersonage,hisfeetwide
apart,themarinersaid:

“Yousentforme?”
ThequestionwascouchedinByzantineGreek.
“Yes,”thepassengerreplied,inthesametongue,thoughwithbetteraccent.
“Wherearewe?”
“ButforthiscalmweshouldbeatSidon.Thelookoutreportsthemountainsin
view.”
Thepassengerreflectedamoment,thenasked,“Resortingtotheoars,whencan
wereachthecity?”
“Bymidnight.”
“Verywell.Listennow.”
Thespeaker’smannerchanged;fixinghisbigeyesuponthesailor’slesserorbs,
hecontinued:
“AfewstadianorthofSidonthereiswhatmaybecalledabay.Itisaboutfour
milesacross.Twolittleriversemptyintoit,oneoneachside.Nearthemiddleof
thebendoftheshorethereisawellofsweetwater,withflowenoughtosupport
afewvillagersandtheircamels.Doyouknowthebay?”


Theskipperwouldhavebecomefamiliar.
“Youarewellacquaintedwiththiscoast,”hesaid.
“Doyouknowofsuchabay?”thepassengerrepeated.
“Ihaveheardofit.”
“Couldyoufinditatnight?”
“Ibelieveso.”
“Thatisenough.Takemeintothebay,andlandmeatmidnight.Iwillnotgoto
thecity.Getoutalltheoarsnow.AtthepropertimeIwilltellyouwhatfurtherI
wish.RememberIamtobesetashoreatmidnightataplacewhichIwillshow
you.”
Thedirectionsthoughfewwereclear.Havinggiventhem,thepassengersigned
thenegrotofanhim,andstretchedhimselfuponthepallet;andthenceforththere

wasnolongeraquestionwhowasincontrol.Itbecamethemoreinteresting,
however,toknowtheobjectofthelandingatmidnightontheshoreofa
lonesomeunnamedbay.


CHAPTERII
THEMIDNIGHTLANDING
Theskipperpredictedlikeaprophet.Theshipwasinthebay,anditwas
midnightornearlyso;forcertainstarshadclimbedintocertainquartersofthe
sky,andaftertheirfashionwerestrikingthehour.
Thepassengerwaspleased.
“Youhavedonewell,”hesaidtothemariner.“Besilentnow,andgetclosein
shore.Therearenobreakers.Havethesmallboatready,anddonotletthe
anchorsgo.”
Thecalmstillprevailed,andtheswellsoftheseawerescarceperceptible.Under
thegentlestimpulseoftheoarsthelittlevesseldriftedbroadsideonuntilthekeel
touchedthesands.Atthesameinstantthesmallboatappeared.Theskipper
reportedtothepassenger.Goingtoeachoftheslaves,thelattersignedthemto
descend.Thenegroswunghimselfdownlikeamonkey,andreceivedthe
baggage,which,besidesthebundlesalreadymentioned,consistedofsometools,
notablyapick,ashovel,andastoutcrowbar.Anemptywater-skinwasalsosent
down,followedbyabasketsuggestiveoffood.Thenthepassenger,withafoot
overthesideofthevessel,gavehisfinaldirections.
“Youwillrunnow,”hesaidtotheskipper,who,tohiscredit,hadthusfarasked
noquestions,“downtothecity,andlietheretomorrow,andtomorrownight.
Attractlittlenoticeaspossible.Itisnotnecessarytopassthegate.Putoutin
timetobehereatsunrise.Iwillbewaitingforyou.Dayaftertomorrowat
sunrise—remember.”
“Butifyoushouldnotbehere?”askedthesailor,thinkingofextreme
probabilities.

“Thenwaitforme,”wastheanswer.
Thepassenger,inturn,descendedtotheboat,andwascaughtinthearmsofthe
black,andseatedcarefullyashehadbeenachild.Inbrieftimethepartywas
ashore,andtheboatreturningtotheship;alittlelater,theshipwithdrewto


wherethenighteffectuallycurtainedthedeep.
Thestayontheshorewaslongenoughtoapportionthebaggageamongstthe
slaves.Themasterthenledtheway.CrossingtheroadrunningfromSidonalong
thecoasttotheup-country,theycametothefoothillsofthemountain,all
withouthabitation.
Latertheycameuponsignsofancientlifeinsplendor—brokencolumns,and
hereandthereCorinthiancapitalsinmarblediscoloredandsunkdeeplyinsand
andmould.Thepatchesofwhiteonthemhadaghastlyglimmerinthestarlight.
Theywereapproachingthesiteofanoldcity,asuburbprobablyofPalae-Tyre
whenshewasoneofthespectaclesoftheworld,sittingbytheseatoruleit
regallyfarandwide.
Onfurtherasmallstream,oneofthoseemptyingintothebay,hadplougheda
ravineforitselfacrosstheroutethepartywaspursuing.Descendingtothewater,
ahaltwasmadetodrink,andfillthewater-skin,whichthenegrotookonhis
shoulder.
Onfurthertherewasanotherancientsitestrewnwithfragmentsindicativeofa
cemetery.Hewnstoneswerefrequent,andmixedwiththemwereoccasional
entablaturesandvasesfromwhichtheageshadnotyetentirelywornthefine
chiselling.Atlengthanimmenseuncoveredsarcophagusbarredtheway.The
masterstoppedbyittostudytheheavens;whenhefoundthenorthstar,hegave
thesignaltohisfollowers,andmovedunderthetrailofthesteadfastbeacon.
Theycametoarisinggroundmoredefinitelymarkedbysarcophagihewnfrom
thesolidrock,andcoveredbylidsofsuchweightandsoliditythatanumberof
themhadneverbeendisturbed.Doubtlessthedeadwithinwerelyingastheyhad

beenleft—butwhen,andbywhom?Whatdisclosurestherewillbewhenatlast
theendistrumpetedin!
Onfurther,butstillconnectedwiththeoncemagnificentfuneralsite,they
encounteredawallmanyfeetthick,andshortwaybeyondit,onthemountain’s
side,thereweretwoarchesofabridgeofwhichallelsehadbeenbrokendown;
andthesetwohadneverspannedanythingmoresubstantialthantheair.Strange
structureforsuchalocality!Obviouslythehighwaywhichonceranoverithad
beguninthecitythebettertocommunicatewiththecemeterythroughwhichthe
partyhadjustpassed.Somuchwasofeasyunderstanding;butwherewasthe


otherterminus?Atsightofthearchesthemasterdrewalongbreathofrelief.
Theywerethefriendsforwhomhehadbeensearching.
Nevertheless,withoutstopping,heleddownintoahollowonallsidessheltered
fromview;andtheretheunloadingtookplace.Thetoolsandbundleswere
throwndownbyarock,andpreparationsmadefortheremainderofthenight.
Thepalletwasspreadforthemaster.Thebasketgaveupitscontents,andthe
partyrefreshedthemselvesandsleptthesleepoftheweary.
Thesecludedbivouacwaskeptthenextday.Onlythemasterwentforthinthe
afternoon.Climbingthemountain,hefoundthelineincontinuationofthe
bridge;ataskthetwoarchesservingasabasemadecomparativelyeasy.He
stoodthenuponabenchorterracecumberedwithrocks,andsobroadthatfew
personscasuallylookingwouldhavesuspecteditartificial.Facingfullyabout
fromthepiers,hewalkedforwardfollowingtheterracewhichatplaceswasout
ofline,andpiledwithdebristumbledfromthemountainontherighthandside;
inafewminutesthatsilentguideturnedwithaneasycurveanddisappearedin
whathadyettheappearancehardlydistinguishableofanareawrenchedwith
enormouslaborfromalowcliffofsolidbrownlimestone.
Thevisitorscannedtheplaceagainandagain;thenhesaidaloud:
“Noonehasbeenheresince”—

Thesentencewasleftunfinished.
Thathecouldthusidentifythespot,andwithsuchcertaintypassuponitin
relationtoaformerperiod,provedhehadbeentherebefore.
Rocks,earth,andbushesfilledthespace.Pickingfootwaythrough,heexamined
thefaceoftheclifftheninfrontofhim,lingeringlongestontheheapof
breakageformingabankoverthemeetinglineofareaandhill.
“Yes,”herepeated,thistimewithundisguisedsatisfaction,“noonehasbeen
heresince”—
Againthesentencewasunfinished.
Heascendedthebanknext,andremovedsomeofthestonesatthetop.Acarved
lineinlowreliefonthefaceoftherockwasdirectlyexposed;seeingithe


smiled,andreplacedthestones,anddescending,wentbacktotheterrace,and
thencetotheslavesinbivouac.
FromoneofthepackageshehadtwoironlampsofoldRomanstylebroughtout,
andsuppliedwithoilandwicks;then,asifeverythingnecessarytohisproject
wasdone,hetooktothepallet.Somegoatshadcometotheplaceinhisabsence,
butnolivingcreatureelse.
Afternightfallthemasterwoketheslaves,andmadefinalpreparationforthe
ventureuponwhichhehadcome.Thetoolshegavetooneman,thelampsto
another,andthewater-skintothenegro.Thenheledoutofthehollow,andup
themountaintotheterracevisitedintheafternoon;nordidhepauseinthearea
mentionedastheabruptterminusofthehighwayovertheskeletonpiers.He
climbedthebankofstonescoveringthefootofthecliffuptotheprecisespotat
whichhisreconnoissancehadended.
Directlytheslaveswereremovingthebankatthetop;notadifficulttasksince
theyhadonlytorolltheloosestonesdownaconvenientgrade.Theyworked
industriously.Atlength—inhalfanhourprobably—anopeningintothecliffwas
discovered.Thecavity,smallatfirst,rapidlyenlarged,untilitgaveassuranceof

adoorwayofimmenseproportions.Whentheenlargementsufficedforhis
admission,themasterstayedthework,andpassedin.Theslavesfollowed.The
interiordescentofferedagradecorrespondingwiththatofthebankoutside—
anotherbank,infact,oflikecomposition,butmoredifficulttopassonaccount
ofthedarkness.
Withhisfoottheleadingadventurerfeltthewaydowntoafloor;andwhenhis
assistantscametohim,hetookfromapocketinhisgownasmallcasefilled
withachemicalpowderwhichhepouredathisfeet;thenheproducedaflintand
steel,andstruckthemtogether.Somesparksdroppeduponthepowder.Instantly
aflamearoseandfilledtheplacewitharuddyillumination.Lightingthelamps
bytheflame,thepartylookedaroundthem,theslaveswithsimplewonder.
Theywereinavault—aburialvaultofgreatantiquity.Eitheritwasanimitation
oflikechambersinEgypt,ortheywereimitationsofit.Theexcavationhadbeen
donewithchisels.Thewallswereniched,givingthemanappearanceof
panelling,andovereachofthenichestherehadbeenaninscriptioninraised
letters,nowmostlydefaced.Thefloorwasaconfusionoffragmentsknocked
fromsarcophagi,which,massiveastheywere,hadbeentilted,overturned,


uncovered,mutilated,androbbed.Uselesstoinquirewhosethevandalism.It
mayhavebeenofChaldeansofthetimeofAlmanezor,oroftheGreekswho
marchedwithAlexander,orofEgyptianswhowereseldomregardfulofthedead
ofthepeoplestheyoverthrewastheywereoftheirown,orofSaracens,thrice
conquerorsalongtheSyriancoast,orofChristians.FewoftheCrusaderswere
likeSt.Louis.
Butofallthisthemastertooknonotice.Withhimitwasrightthatthevault
shouldlookthewreckitwas.Carelessofinscriptions,indifferenttocarving,his
eyesranrapidlyalongthefootofthenorthernwalluntiltheycametoa
sarcophagusofgreenmarble.Thitherheproceeded.Helaidhishanduponthe
half-turnedlid,andobservingthatthebackofthegreatbox—ifsuchitmaybe

termed—wasagainstthewall,hesaidagain:
“Noonehasbeenheresince”—
Andagainthesentencewasleftunfinished.
Forthwithhebecameallenergy.Thenegrobroughtthecrowbar,and,by
direction,setitundertheedgeofthesarcophagus,whichheheldraisedwhile
themasterblockeditatthebottomwithastonechip.Anotherbite,andalarger
chipwasinserted.Goodholdbeingthushad,avasewasplacedforfulcrum;
afterwhich,ateverydownwardpressureoftheiron,theponderouscoffinswung
roundalittletotheleft.Slowlyandwithlaborthemovementwascontinued
untilthespacebehindwasuncovered.
Bythistimethelampshadbecomethedependenciesforlight.Withhisinhand,
themasterstoopedandinspectedtheexposedwall.Involuntarilytheslavesbent
forwardandlooked,butsawnothingdifferentfromthegeneralsurfaceinthat
quarter.Themasterbeckonedthenegro,andtouchingastonenotwiderthanhis
threefingers,butreddishinhue,andlookinglikemerechinkinglodgedinan
accidentalcrevice,signedhimtostrikeitwiththeendofthebar.Once—twice—
thestonerefusedtostir;withthethirdblowitwasdriveninoutofsight,and,
beingfollowedvigorously,washeardtodropontheotherside.Thewall
thereupon,totheheightofthesarcophagusandthewidthofabroaddoor,broke,
andappearedabouttotumbledown.
Whenthedustclearedaway,therewasacreviceunseenbefore,andwideenough
toadmitahand.Thereadermustrememberthereweremasonsintheoldtime


whoamusedthemselvesapplyingtheirmathematicstosuchpuzzles.Here
obviouslytheintentionhadbeentoscreenanentrancetoanadjoiningchamber,
andthekeytothedesignhadbeenthesliverofredgranitefirstdisplaced.
Alittlepatientusethenofhandandbarenabledtheworkmantotakeoutthefirst
largeblockofthecombination.Thatthemasternumberedwithchalk,andhad
carefullysetaside.Asecondblockwastakenout,numbered,andsetaside;

finallythescreenwasdemolished,andthewaystoodopen.


CHAPTERIII
THEHIDDENTREASURE
Theslaveslookeddubiouslyatthedustyaperture,whichheldoutnoinvitation
tothem;themaster,however,drewhisrobecloserabouthim,andstoopingwent
in,lampinhand.Theythenfollowed.
Anascendingpassage,lowbutofamplewidth,receivedthem.Ittoohadbeen
chiselledfromthesolidrock.Thewheelmarksofthecarsusedintheworkwere
stillonthefloor.Thewallswerebarebutsmoothlydressed.Altogetherthe
interestherelayinexpectationofwhatwastocome;andpossiblyitwasthat
whichmadethecountenanceofthemasterlooksograveandabsorbed.He
certainlywasnotlisteningtothediscordantechoesrousedasheadvanced.
Theascentwaseasy.Twenty-fiveorthirtystepsbroughtthemtotheendofthe
passage.
Theythenenteredaspaciouschambercircularanddomed.Thelightofthe
lampswasnotenoughtoredeemtheceilingfromobscurity;yetthemasterled
withoutpausetoasarcophagusstandingunderthecentreofthedome,andwhen
hewascomethereeverythingelsewasforgottenbyhim.
Thereceptacleofthedeadthusdiscoveredhadbeenhewnfromtherock,and
wasofunusualproportions.Standingbroadsidetotheentrance,itwastheheight
ofanordinaryman,andtwiceaslongashigh.Theexteriorhadbeenpolished
smoothlyasthematerialwouldallow;otherwiseitwasofabsoluteplainness,
lookingnotunlikeadarkbrownbox.Thelidwasaslabofthefinestwhite
marblecarvenintoaperfectmodelofSolomon’sTemple.Whilethemaster
surveyedthelidhewasvisiblyaffected.Hepassedthelampoveritslowly,
lettingthelightfallintothecourtsofthefamousbuilding;inlikemannerhe
illuminatedthecorridors,andthetabernacle;and,ashedidso,hisfeatures
trembledandhiseyesweresuffused.Hewalkedaroundtheexquisite

representationseveraltimes,pausingnowandthentoblowawaythedustthat
hadinplacesaccumulateduponit.Henoticedtheeffectofthetransparent
whitenessinthechamber;soinitsdaytheoriginalhadlitupthesurrounding
world.Undoubtedlythemodelhadpeculiarholduponhisfeelings.


Butshakingtheweaknessoffheafterawhileaddressedhimselftowork.Hehad
thenegrothrusttheedgeofthebarunderthelid,andraiseitgently.Having
thoughtfullyprovidedhimselfintheantechamberwithpiecesofstoneforthe
purpose,heplacedoneofthemsoastoholdthevantagegained.Slowly,then,
byworkingattheendsalternately,theimmenseslabwasturneduponitscentre;
slowlythehollowofthecoffinwasfloodedwithlight;slowly,andwithseeming
reluctance,itgaveupitssecrets.
Instrongcontrasttotheplainnessoftheexterior,theinteriorofthesarcophagus
waslinedwithplatesandpanelsofgold,onwhichtherewerecartoonschased
andbeatenin,representingships,andtalltrees,doubtlesscedarsofLebanon,
andmasonsatwork,andtwomenarmedandinroyalrobesgreetingeachother
withclaspedhands;andsobeautifulwerethecartoonsthattheeccentric
medalleur,Cellini,wouldhavestudiedthemlong,ifnotenviously.Yethewho
nowpeeredintothereceptaclescarcelyglancedatthem.
Onastonechairseatedwasthemummyofamanwithacrownuponitshead,
andoveritsbody,forthemostpartcovering—thelinenwrappings,wasarobeof
threadsofgoldinamplearrangement.Thehandsrestedonthelap;inonewasa
sceptre;theotherheldaninscribedsilvertablet.Therewereringsplain,and
ringswithjewelsinsetting,circlingthefingersandthumbs;theears,ankles,
eventhegreattoes,wereornamentedinlikemanner.Atthefeetaswordofthe
fashionofacimeterhadbeenlaid.Thebladewasinitsscabbard,butthe
scabbardwasamassofjewels,andthehandleaflamingruby.Thebeltwas
webbedwithpearlsandglisteningbrilliants.Undertheswordwerethe
instrumentssacredthenandeversincetoMasterMasons—asquare,agavel,a

plummet,andaninscribingcompass.
Themanhadbeenaking—somuchthefirstglanceproclaimed.Withhim,as
withhisroyalbrethrenfromthetombsalongtheNile,deathhadasserteditself
triumphantlyovertheembalmer.Thecheekswereshrivelledandmouldy;across
theforeheadtheskinwasdrawntight;thetempleswerehollowsrimmed
abruptlywiththefrontalbones;theeyes,pitspartiallyfilledwithdried
ointmentsofabituminouscolor.Themonarchhadyieldedhislifeinitsfull
ripeness,forthewhitehairandbeardstilladheredinstiffenedplaitstotheskull,
cheeks,andchin.Thenosealonewasnatural;itstoodupthinandhooked,like
thebeakofaneagle.
Atsightofthefigurethuscaparisonedandmaintainingitsseatinanattitudeof


calmcomposuretheslavesdrewbackstartled.Thenegrodroppedhisironbar,
makingthechamberringwithadissonantclangor.
Aroundthemummyincarefularrangementwerevesselsheapedwithcoinsand
pearlsandpreciousstones,cutandreadyforthegoldsmith.Indeed,thewhole
innerspaceofthesarcophaguswassetwithbasinsandurns,eachinitselfawork
ofhighart;andiftheircontentsweretobejudgedbywhatappearedoverflowing
them,theyallheldpreciousstonesofeveryvariety.Thecornershadbeendraped
withclothsofgoldandclothsembroideredwithpearls,someofwhichwerenow
fallingtopiecesoftheirownweight.
Weknowthatkingsandqueensarebutmenandwomensubjecttothesame
passionsofcommonpeople;thattheyaregenerousorsordidaccordingtotheir
natures;thattherehavebeenmisersamongstthem;butthisone—didheimagine
hecouldcarryhisamassmentswithhimoutoftheworld?Hadhesolovedthe
gemsinhislifeastodreamhecouldilluminehistombwiththem?Ifso,Oroyal
idiot!
Themaster,whenanopeninghadbeenmadesufficientlywidebyturningthelid
upontheedgeofthesarcophagus,tookoffhissandals,gaveafoottooneofhis

slaves,andswunghimselfintotheinterior.Thelampwasthengivenhim,andhe
surveyedthewealthandsplendorasthekingmightneveragain.Andastheking
inhisdayhadsaidwithexultation,Lo!itisallmine,theintrudernowasserted
title.
Unable,hadhesowished,tocarrythewholecollectionoff,helookedaround
uponthisanduponthat,determiningwheretobegin.Conscioushehadnothing
tofear,andleastofallfromtheownerinthechair,hewasslowanddeliberate.
Fromhisrobehedrewanumberofbagsofcoarsehempencloth,andabroad
whitenapkin.Thelatterhespreaduponthefloor,firstremovingseveralofthe
urnstoobtainspace;thenheemptiedoneofthevesselsuponit,andfromthe
sparklingandvaricoloredheapbeforehimproceededtomakeselection.
Hisjudgmentwasexcellent,sureandswift.Notseldomheputthelargestones
aside,givingpreferencetocolorandlustre.Thosechosenhedroppedintoabag.
Whenthelotwasgonethrough,hereturnedtherejectedtothevessel,placingit
backexactlyinitsplace.Thenhebetookhimselftoanotherofthevessels,and
thenanother,until,incourseofacoupleofhours,hehadmadechoicefromthe
collection,andfilledninebags,andtiedthemsecurely.


Greatlyrelieved,hearose,rubbedthebenumbedjointsofhislimbsawhile,then
passedthepackagesouttotheslaves.Theoccupationhadbeenwearisomeand
tensive;butitwasfinished,andhewouldnowretire.Helingeredtogivealast
lookattheinterior,mutteringthesentenceagain,andleavingitunfinishedas
before:
“Noonehasbeenheresince”—
Fromthefaceoftheking,hiseyesfelltothesilvertabletinthenervelesshand.
Movingclose,andholdingthelampinconvenientposition,hekneltandreadthe
inscription.
I.
“ThereisbutoneGod,andHewasfromthebeginning,andwillbewithoutend.

II.
“Inmylifetime,Ipreparedthisvaultandtombtoreceivemybody,andkeepit
safely;yetitmaybevisited,fortheearthandseaarealwaysgivinguptheir
secrets.
III.
“Therefore,OStranger,firsttofindme,knowthou!
“ThatinallmydaysIkeptintercoursewithSolomon,KingoftheJews,wisest
ofmen,andtherichestandgreatest.Asisknown,hesetaboutbuildingahouse
tohisLordGod,resolvedthatthereshouldbenothinglikeitintheworld,
nothingsospacious,soenriched,soperfectinproportions,soinallthings
becomingthegloryofhisGod.InsympathywithhimIgavehimoftheskillof
mypeople,workersinbrass,andsilver,andgold,andproductsofthequarries:
andintheirshipsmysailorsbroughthimtheyieldofminesfromtheendsofthe
earth.Atlastthehousewasfinished;thenhesentmethemodelofthehouse,
andthecoins,andclothsofgoldandpearl,andthepreciousstones,andthe
vesselsholdingthem,andtheotherthingsofvaluehere.Adif,OStranger,thou
dostwonderatthegreatnessofthegift,knowthouthatitwasbutasmallpartof
whatremaineduntohimoflikekind,forhewasmasteroftheearth,andof
everythingbelongingtoitwhichmightbeofservicetohim,eventheelements
andtheirsubtleties.


IV.
“Northink,OStranger,thatIhavetakenthewealthintothetombwithme,
imaginingitcanservemeinthenextlife.IstoreitherebecauseIlovehimwho
gaveittome,andamjealousofhislove;andthatisall.
V.
“SothouwiltusethewealthinwayspleasinginthesightoftheLordGodof
Solomon,myroyalfriend,takethouofitinwelcome.ThereisnoGodbuthis
God!

“ThussayI—HIRAM,KINGOFTYRE.”
“Restthouthysoul,Owisestofpagankings,”saidthemaster,rising.“Beingthe
firsttofindtheehere,andbasingmytitletothywealthonthatcircumstance,I
willuseitinawaypleasinginthesightoftheLordGodofSolomon.Verily,
verily,thereisnoGodbuthisGod!”
This,then,wasthebusinessthatbroughtthemantothetombofthekingwhose
glorywastohavebeenthefriendofSolomon.Ponderingtheidea,webeginto
realizehowvastthelatter’sfamewas;anditceasestobematterofwonderthat
hiscontemporaries,eventhemostroyal,couldhavebeenjealousofhislove.
Notonlyhavewetheman’sbusiness,butitisfinished;andjudgingfromthe
satisfactiondiscernibleonhisfaceasheraisedthelampandturnedtodepart,the
resultmusthavebeenaccordingtohisbesthope.Hetookoffhisrobe,and
tossedittohisslaves;thenhelaidahandupontheedgeofthesarcophagus
preparatorytoclimbingout.Atthemoment,whilegivingalastlookabouthim,
anemerald,smoothlycut,andofgreatsize,largerindeedthanafull-grown
pomegranate,caughthiseyesinitsplacelooseuponthefloor.Heturnedback,
andtakingitup,examineditcarefully;whilethusengagedhisglancedroppedto
theswordalmostathisfeet.Thesparkleofthebrilliants,andthefire-flameof
thegreatrubyinthegrip,drewhimirresistibly,andhestoodconsidering.
Directlyhespokeinalowvoice:
“Noonehasbeenheresince”—
Hehesitated—glancedhurriedlyaroundtoagainassurehimselfitwasnot


possibletobeoverheard—thenfinishedthesentence:
“NoonehasbeenheresinceIcameathousandyearsago.”
Atthewordssostrange,soinexplicableuponanytheoryofnatureandcommon
experience,thelampshookinhishand.Involuntarilyheshrankfromthe
admission,thoughtohimself.Butrecovering,herepeated:
“SinceIcameathousandyearsago.”

Thenheaddedmorefirmly:
“Buttheearthandtheseaarealwaysgivinguptheirsecrets.Sosaiththegood
KingHiram;andsinceIamawitnessprovingthewisdomofthespeech,Iat
leastmustbelievehim.Whereforeitisformetogovernmyselfasifanotherwill
shortlyfollowme.Thesayingofthekingisaninjunction.”
Withthat,heturnedtheglitteringswordoverandoveradmiringly.Loathtoletit
go,hedrewthebladepartlyfromthescabbard,anditsclearnesshadthedepth
peculiartotheskybetweenstarsatnight.
“Isthereanythingitwillnotbuy,”hecontinued,reflectively.“Whatkingcould
refuseaswordonceSolomon’s?Iwilltakeit.”
Thereuponhepassedboththeemeraldandtheswordouttotheslaves,whomhe
presentlyjoined.
Theconviction,butamomentbeforeexpressed,thatanotherwouldfollowhim
tothetomboftheveneratedTyrian,wasnotstrongenoughtohinderthemaster
fromattemptingtohideeverysignwhichmightaidinthediscovery.Thenegro,
underhisdirection,returnedthelidexactlytoitsformerfittingplaceonthe
sarcophagus;theemeraldandtheswordhewrappedinhisgown;thebagsand
thetoolswerecountedanddistributedamongtheslavesforeasycarriage.Lamp
inhand,hethenwalkedaroundtoseethatnothingwasleftbehind.Incidentally
heevensurveyedthebrownwallsandthedimdomeoverhead.Havingreached
thecertaintythateverythingwasinitsformerstate,hewavedhishand,andwith
onelonglookbackwardatthemodel,ghostlybeautifulinitsshiningwhite
transparency,heledthewaytothepassageofentrance,leavingthekingtohis
solitudeandstatelysleep,unmindfulofthevisitationandthedespoilment.


Outinthelargereceptionroom,hepausedagaintorestorethewall.Beginning
withtheinsignificantkey,onebyonethestones,eachofwhich,aswehaveseen,
hadbeennumberedbyhim,wereraisedandreset.Thenhandfulsofdustwere
collectedandblownintotheslightcrevicestilltheywereinvisible.Thefinal

stepwastherestorationofthesarcophagus;thisdone,thegalleryleadingtothe
realvaultofthekingwasoncemoreeffectuallyconcealed.
“Hewhofollows,comehesoonorlate,musthavemorethansharpeyesifhe
wouldhaveaudiencewithHiram,myroyalfriendofTyre,”theadventurersaid,
inhismeditativeway,feelingatthesametimeinthefoldsofhisgownforthe
chartsotheobjectofsolicitudeontheship.Theroll,theemerald,andthesword
werealsosafe.Signingtheslavestoremainwheretheywere,hemovedslowly
acrossthechamber,andbyaidofhislampsurveyedanaperturetheresobroad
andloftyitwassuggestiveofagateratherthanadoor.
“Itiswell,”hesaid,smiling.“Thehunterofspoils,hereafterasheretofore,will
passthiswayinsteadoftheother.”
Theremarkwasshrewd.Probablynothinghadsocontributedtothelong
concealmentofthegalleryjustreclosedthesecondtimeinathousandyearsas
thehighdoorway,withitsinvitationtoroomsbeyondit,allnowiniconoclastic
confusion.
Rejoininghisworkmen,hetookaknifefromthegirdleofoneofthem,andcuta
slitinthegurgletlargeenoughtoadmitthebagsofpreciousstones.Theskin
wasroomy,andreceivedthem,thoughwiththelossofmuchofthewater.
Havingthusdisposedofthatportionoftheplundertothebestadvantageboth
forportageandconcealment,hehelpedswingitsecurelyuponthenegro’s
shoulder,andwithoutotherdelayledfromthechambertothegreatoutdoors,
wherethelampswereextinguished.
Thepuresweetair,asmaybeimagined,waswelcometoeveryone.Whilethe
slavesstoodbreathingitinwholesomevolumes,themasterstudiedthestars,and
sawthenightwasnotsofargonebutthat,withindustry,thesea-shorecouldbe
madeintimefortheship.
Stillpursuingthepolicyofhidingtheroadtothetombmuchaspossible,he
waitedwhilethemencoveredtheentranceasbeforewithstonesbroughtup
fromthebank.Alastsurveyofthefaceoftherock,minuteasthestarlight

allowed,reassuredhimthat,astotherestoftheworld,thetreasuremightremain
withitsancientownerundisturbedforyetanotherthousandyears,ifnotforever;
afterwhich,inacongratulatorymood,hedescendedthemountainsidetothe
placeofbivouac,andthenceingoodtime,andwithoutadventure,arrivedatthe
landingbythesea.Therethenegro,wadingfarout,flungthetoolsintothe
water.
Intheappointedtimethegalleycamedownfromthecity,and,underimpulsion
oftheoars,disappearedwiththepartyupthecoastnorthward.
Thenegrounrolledthepalletuponthedeck,andbroughtsomebread,Smyrna
figs,andwineofPrinkipo,andthefourateanddrankheartily.
Theskipperwasthensummoned.
“Youhavedonewell,myfriend,”saidthemaster.“Sparenotsailoroarnow,but
makeByzantiumwithoutlookingintoanywaysideport.Iwillincreaseyourpay
inproportionasyoushortenthetimeweareout.Looktoit—go—andspeed
you.”
Afterwardtheslavesinturnkeptwatchwhileheslept.Andthoughthecoming
andgoingofsailorswasfrequent,notoneofthemnoticedtheoil-stainedwaterskincastcarelesslynearthemaster’spillow,orthenegro’sshaggyhalf-cloak,
servingasawrapfortheroll,theemerald,andtheswordonceSolomon’s.
TherunofthegalleyfromthenamelessbaynearSidonwaswithoutstoporso
muchasaheadwind.Alwaystheblueskyabovethedeck,andthebluesea
below.Indaytimethemasterpassengerwouldoccasionallypauseinhiswalk
alongthewhiteplanks,and,hishandonthegunwale,givealookatsomeofthe
landmarksstuddingtheancientCycladeanSea,anislandhere,oratall
promontoryofthecontinentyonder,possiblyanOlympianheightfaintlygrayin
thevasterdistance.Hismanneratsuchmomentsdidnotindicateatravellernew
tothehighway.Aglanceatthepointssuchasbusinessmencloselypressedgive
thehandsonthefaceofaclocktodeterminetheminuteofthehour,andhe
wouldresumewalking.Atnighthesleptrightsoundly.
FromtheDardanellesintotheHellespont;thentheMarmora.Thecaptainwould

havecoasted,butthepassengerbadehimkeepintheopen.“Thereisnothingto
fearfromtheweather,”hesaid,“butthereistimetobesaved.”


InanafternoontheysightedthegreatstonesOxiaandPlati;thefirst,aridand
bareasagrayegg,andconicallikeanirregularpyramid;theother,aplaneon
top,withverdureandscatteringtrees.Aglanceatthemapshowsthemthemost
westerlygroupoftheIslesofthePrinces.
NowNatureissometimesstupid,sometimeswhimsical,doingunaccountable
things.Onegazingattheotherislesofthegroupfromasoftlyrockingcaique
outalittlewayontheseadivinesinstantlythatshemeantthemforsummer
retreats,butthesetwo,OxiaandPlati,offbythemselves,bleakinwinter,
apparentlyalwaysreadyforspontaneouscombustionintheheatedmonths,for
whatweretheydesigned?Nomatter—useswerefoundforthem—fittinguses.
Eremitesinsearchofthehardest,grimmestplaces,selectedOxia,andpecking
holesandcavesinitssides,sharedtheabodesthuslaboriouslywonwith
cormorants,themostgluttonousofbirds.Intimearudeconventwasbuiltnear
thesummit.Ontheotherhand,PlatiwasconvertedintoaGehennaforcriminals,
andinthevatsanddungeonswithwhichitwasprovided,liveswerespent
weepingforliberty.Onthisisle,tearsandcurses;onthat,tearsandprayers.
AtsundownthegalleywasplyingitsoarsbetweenOxiaandtheEuropeanshore
aboutwhereSt.Stephanoisnowsituated.ThedomeofSta.Sophiawasinsight;
behindit,inalinetothenorthwest,arosethetowerofGalata.“Homeby
lamplighting—BlessedbetheVirgin!”themarinerssaidtoeachotherpiously.
Butno!Themasterpassengersentforthecaptain.
“Idonotcaretogetintoharborbeforemorning.Thenightisdelicious,andI
willtryitinthesmallboat.Iwasoncearower,andyethaveafancyfortheoars.
Dothoulayoffandonhereabouts.PuttwolampsatthemastheadthatImay
knowthyvesselwhenIdesiretoreturn.Nowgetouttheboat.”
Thecaptainthoughthisvoyagerqueeroftaste;neverthelesshedidastold.Ina

shorttimetheskiff—ifthefamiliarwordcanbepardoned—putoffwiththe
negroandhismaster,thelatterattheoars.
Inpreparationfortheexcursionthegurglethalffullofwaterandthesheepskin
mantleoftheblackmanwereloweredintothelittlevessel.Theboatmoved
awayinthedirectionofPrinkipo,themotherisleofthegroup;andasthenight
deepened,itpassedfromview.
Whenoutofsightfromthegalley’sdeck,themastergavetherowingtothe


negro,andtakingseatbytherudder,changeddirectiontothesoutheast;after
whichhekeptonandon,untilPlatilaydirectlyinhiscourse.
ThesouthernextremityofPlatimakesquiteaboldbluff.Inaperiodlonggonea
stonetowerhadbeenconstructedthere,alookoutandshelterforguardsmenon
duty;andtherebeingnoearthlychanceofescapeforprisoners,sosecurelywere
theyimmured,thedutymusthavebeenagainstrobbersfromthemainlandonthe
east,andfrompiratesgenerally.Underthetowertherewasaclimbdifficultfor
mostpersonsindaylight,andfromthemanoeuvringoftheboat,theclimbwas
obviouslytheobjectdrawingthemaster.Heatlengthfoundit,andsteppedout
onashelvingstone.Thegurgletandmantlewerepassedtohim,andsoonheand
hisfollowerwerefeelingtheirwayupward.
Onthesummit,thechiefwalkedoncearoundthetower,nowthemerestruin,a
tumbledownwithoutform,inplacesovergrownwithsicklyvines.Rejoininghis
attendant,andstayingamomenttothoroughlyemptythegurgletofwater,onhis
handsandkneeshecrawledintoapassagemuchobstructedbydebris.Thenegro
waitedoutside.
Themastermadetwotrips;thefirstone,hetookthegurgletin;thesecond,he
tookthemantlewrappingthesword.Attheend,herubbedhishandsinselfcongratulation.
“Theyaresafe—thepreciousstonesofHiram,andtheswordofSolomon!Three
otherstoreshaveIlikethisone—inIndia,inEgypt,inJerusalem—andthereis
thetombbySidon.Oh,Ishallnotcometowant!”andhelaughedwellpleased.

Thedescenttothesmallboatwaseffectedwithoutaccident.
NextmorningtowardsunrisethepassengersdisembarkedatPortSt.Peteronthe
southsideoftheGoldenHorn.Alittlelaterthemasterwasrestingathomein
Byzantium.
Withinthreedaysthemysteriouspersonwhomwe,wantinghispropernameand
title,havetermedthemaster,hadsoldhishouseandhouseholdeffects.Inthe
nightoftheseventhday,withhisservants,singularinthatallofthemweredeaf
anddumb,hewentaboardship,andvanisheddowntheMarmora,goingnoone
buthimselfknewwhither.
ThevisittothetomboftheroyalfriendofSolomonhadevidentlybeento