"Ugh!" said the Arab, "he has bigger fish to fry—the white man you enticed into the room of wonders dies to-day."
"You—know that, Ptahmes!"
"Ay—I am to help him to embalm the body. Now I think of it, I wonder he has eaten. I was to stir the pot while he made merry with the lady over wine—the unbelieving dog. At one of the clock he ordered me to go to him. 'Tis almost time."
"Will you not fear to stay alone in that great room of magic, Ptahmes?"
"Like enough, Uromi, but I shall think me of the pay and work with tight-shut eyes till he returns."
"What has he promised you?"
"Five pieces of gold, Uromi. Do you covet them?"
"I would not cross the threshold of that room for ten times five."
"You have a chicken's heart, Uromi."