The King's Talisman — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

_ THE KINGS TALISMAN. 131 to recognize the old man, he replied, as he cast a furtive glance around him: ‘‘You are right, Abdah Nazor; but tell me, what strange guise is this in which you appear: 2” ‘<That is a matter which alone concerns the king,” ihe old man answered. ‘‘ Our party is chiefly composed of the king’s eunuchs, as you may see for yourself.” ‘‘lhere is something here I cannot comprehend,” the centurion uttered, as he gazed first upon the eunuchs and then upon the old man and his young companion, ‘‘ for but now I met = Nabal hesitated ere he spoke further, and alighting from his horse, Abdah Nazor took the centurion on one side, and said, in a tone that could be heard by none save them- selves: | ‘‘Tell me what you have to communicate, Nabal, for I see by thy manner that thou hast learned of clade which relates to myself.” ‘«* An officer of the king may not always tell the chines he knows.” «‘ Not if he loves an evil king more than he loves a suffer- ing people,” slowly returned the old man, as he bent a calm, dignified look upon the man before him. ‘‘TIn the truth of the living God, I do not love an evil king more than I love the people.” «‘Then tell me what you know concerninz the king’s intentions toward me, for well I know by your manner that you know something of that which I ask. Perhaps you have seen the king to-night?” ‘¢Not an hour since, but from him I learned nothing concerning you.” «The king must have urgent business to call thee to his presence at such a season as this.” «« Ay, and somewhat curious withal,” the centurion re- plied; but it is no secret, though, for he bade me proclaim (ECO AAICEl oxere) cS €O