"I opened the door to his worthiness, may he live through eternity!"
"And dost Thou remember how he was dressed?"
"He wore a jacket with yellow and black stripes, a cap of the same colors, and a blue and red apron," answered the doorkeeper.
Both priests and the nomarch began to wonder.
Then they brought in Sarah's servants, who repeated exactly the same description of the prince's dress. The nomarch's eyes flashed with delight, but on the face of the holy Mefres confusion was evident.
"I will swear," put in the worthy nomarch, "that the prince wore a white jacket and a purple apron with gold fringe."
"Now, most worthy men," said the chief of police, "be pleased to come with me to the prison. There we shall see one more witness."
They went to a subterranean hall, where under a window stood a great cage covered with linen. The chief threw back the linen with his stick, and those present saw a woman lying in a corner.
"But this is the Lady Kama!" cried the nomarch.
It was indeed Kama, sick and changed very greatly. When she rose at sight of the dignitaries, and appeared in the light, those present saw that her face had bronze-colored spots on it. Her eyes seemed wandering.