The King's Talisman — page 118: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE KINGS TALISMAN. 109 from the thousand-and-one persons who are weekly flock- ‘ing to us, we learn much that might profit even royalty itself. ‘The secret of Modad’s trouble we know, and are also aware of the circumstances to which that has given birth.” | “Do you know of the loss of—of——_” ‘“The talisman from the royal treasury, you would say,” said Moran, as Al-Bassa hesitated. | ‘Then you know all, worthy censors, and can judge of my situation. But still I am ata loss to comprehend how you learned this, You must have some powerful agency at work in your behalf.” “Yes, itis powerful,” returned Moran, ‘but yet I think you might guess the source of information.” _ The censor spoke in a curious tone, and after a moment’s thought the truth flashed upon the mind of the old man. Surely, he knew whom the king feared, and in a half inter- rogatory manner he said: € Abdah Nazor told you?” : ‘You are right, Al-Bassa. The old dervise has kept us informed of all that has transpired, and I -assure you that we are governed not a little by the information thus gained. Since we have had two-thirds of the king’s duty to perform, it has been fortunate for us that we have known somewhat of his secrets.” ‘But this Abdah Nazor,” uttered the old counselor, ‘‘ who is he that he possesses such secrets?” ‘‘Simply an old dervise who has lived among the fast- nesses of Mount Hor for many years, and who seems to pos- sess a vast amount of knowledge that he takes no pains to communicate.” “But simple knowledge cannot give a man power over the king’s secrets?” | «‘True,” returned Moran; ‘‘ yet Abdah Nazor possesses these secrets, and—I have no fear that you will tattle, Al- Gomieboo SS (ef 0)