He turned away and faced Nechutes, bending before him; behind the cup-bearer, a stately stranger—Kenkenes.
"A message for thee, O Son of Ptah," Nechutes said.
At a sign from the king, the messenger came forward, knelt and delivered the scroll. The king looked at the writing on the wrapping.
"From whom dost thou bring this?" he asked.
"From Jambres, the mystic, O Son of Ptah."
"Ah!" It was the tone of one who has his surmises proved. "Now, what is contained herein?"
Kenkenes took it that the inquiry called for an answer.
"A warning, O King."
"How dost thou know?"
"The purport of the message was told me ere I departed."