’Well，saidCyril，whowassubjecttopassingfitsofjustice，’webegan，youknow。Atleastyoudid。’Cyril’sjusticewasalwaysuncompromising。
’I’mnotgoingtosayI’msorryifyoumeanthat，’saidRobert，andthechair—legcrackedtothekickhegaveashesaidit。
’Oh，dolet’s，’saidAnthea，’we’rethreetoone，andMotherdoessohateitifwerow。Comeon。I’llsayI’msorryfirst，thoughIdidn’tsayanything，hardly。’
’Allright，let’sgetitover，’saidCyril，openingthedoor。’Hi——you——Pussy！’
Farawayupthestairsavoicecouldbeheardsingingbrokenly，butstilldefiantly——
’Howmanymiles（sniff）toBabylon？
Threescoreandten！（sniff）
CanIgettherebycandlelight？
Yes（sniff），andbackagain！’
Itwastrying，forthiswasplainlymeanttoannoy。ButAntheawouldnotgiveherselftimetothinkthis。Sheledthewayupthestairs，takingthreeatatime，andboundedtothelevelofJane，whosatonthetopstepofall，thumpingherdolltothetuneofthesongshewastryingtosing。
’Isay，Pussy，letitbepax！We’resorryifyouare——’
Itwasenough。Thekissofpeacewasgivenbyall。Janebeingtheyoungestwasentitledtothisceremonial。Antheaaddedaspecialapologyofherown。
’I’msorryifIwasapig，Pussydear，’shesaid——’especiallybecauseinmyreallyandtrulyinsidemindI’vebeenfeelingalittleasifI’drathernotgointothePastagaineither。Butthen，dothink。Ifwedon’tgoweshan’tgettheAmulet，andoh，Pussy，thinkifwecouldonlygetFatherandMotherandTheLambsafeback！WeMUSTgo，butwe’llwaitadayortwoifyoulikeandthenperhapsyou’llfeelbraver。’
’Rawmeatmakesyoubrave，howevercowardlyyouare，’saidRobert，toshowthattherewasnownoill—feeling，’andcranberries——that’swhatTartarseat，andthey’resobraveit’ssimplyawful。IsupposecranberriesareonlyforChristmastime，butI’llaskoldNursetoletyouhaveyourchopveryrawifyoulike。’
’IthinkIcouldbebravewithoutthat，’saidJanehastily；shehatedunderdonemeat。’I’lltry。’
Atthismomentthedoorofthelearnedgentleman’sroomopened，andhelookedout。
’Excuseme，’hesaid，inthatgentle，politewearyvoiceofhis，’butwasImistakeninthinkingthatIcaughtafamiliarwordjustnow？WereyounotsingingsomeoldballadofBabylon？’
’No，’saidRobert，’atleastJanewassinging"Howmanymiles，"
butIshouldn’thavethoughtyoucouldhaveheardthewordsfor——’
Hewouldhavesaid，’forthesniffing，’butAntheapinchedhimjustintime。
’IdidnothearALLthewords，’saidthelearnedgentleman。’I
wonderwouldyourecitethemtome？’
Sotheyallsaidtogether——
’HowmanymilestoBabylon？
Threescoreandten！
CanIgettherebycandlelight？
Yes，andbackagain！’
’Iwishonecould，’thelearnedgentlemansaidwithasigh。
’Can’tyou？’askedJane。
’Babylonhasfallen，’heansweredwithasigh。’Youknowitwasonceagreatandbeautifulcity，andthecentreoflearningandArt，andnowitisonlyruins，andsocoveredupwithearththatpeoplearenotevenagreedastowhereitoncestood。’
Hewasleaningonthebanisters，andhiseyeshadafar—awaylookinthem，asthoughhecouldseethroughthestaircasewindowthesplendourandgloryofancientBabylon。
’Isay，’Cyrilremarkedabruptly。’Youknowthatcharmweshowedyou，andyoutoldushowtosaythenamethat’sonit？’
’Yes！’
’Well，doyouthinkthatcharmwaseverinBabylon？’
’It’squitepossible，’thelearnedgentlemanreplied。’SuchcharmshavebeenfoundinveryearlyEgyptiantombs，yettheiroriginhasnotbeenaccuratelydeterminedasEgyptian。TheymayhavebeenbroughtfromAsia。Or，supposingthecharmtohavebeenfashionedinEgypt，itmightverywellhavebeencarriedtoBabylonbysomefriendlyembassy，orbroughtbackbytheBabylonisharmyfromsomeEgyptiancampaignaspartofthespoilsofwar。Theinscriptionmaybemuchlaterthanthecharm。Ohyes！itisapleasantfancy，thatthatsplendidspecimenofyourswasonceusedamidBabylonishsurroundings。’Theotherslookedateachother，butitwasJanewhospoke。
’WeretheBabylonpeoplesavages，weretheyalwaysfightingandthrowingthingsabout？’Forshehadreadthethoughtsoftheothersbytheunerringlightofherownfears。
’TheBabylonianswerecertainlymoregentlethantheAssyrians，’
saidthelearnedgentleman。’Andtheywerenotsavagesbyanymeans。Averyhighlevelofculture，’helookeddoubtfullyathisaudienceandwenton，’Imeanthattheymadebeautifulstatuesandjewellery，andbuiltsplendidpalaces。Andtheywereverylearned—theyhadgloriouslibrariesandhightowersforthepurposeofastrologicalandastronomicalobservation。’
’Er？’saidRobert。
’Imeanfor——star—gazingandfortune—telling，’saidthelearnedgentleman，’andthereweretemplesandbeautifulhanginggardens——’
’I’llgotoBabylonifyoulike，’saidJaneabruptly，andtheothershastenedtosay’Done！’beforesheshouldhavetimetochangehermind。
’Ah，’saidthelearnedgentleman，smilingrathersadly，’onecangosofarindreams，whenoneisyoung。’Hesighedagain，andthenaddingwithalabouredbriskness，’Ihopeyou’llhavea——a——jollygame，’hewentintohisroomandshutthedoor。
’Hesaid"jolly"asifitwasaforeignlanguage，’saidCyril。
’Comeon，let’sgetthePsammeadandgonow。IthinkBabylonseemsamostfrightfullyjollyplacetogoto。’
SotheywokethePsammeadandputitinitsbass—bagwiththewaterproofsheet，incaseofinclementweatherinBabylon。Itwasverycross，butitsaiditwouldassoongotoBabylonasanywhereelse。’Thesandisgoodthereabouts，’itadded。
ThenJaneheldupthecharm，andCyrilsaid——
’WewanttogotoBabylontolookforthepartofyouthatwaslost。Willyoupleaseletusgotherethroughyou？’
’Pleaseputusdownjustoutside，’saidJanehastily；’andthenifwedon’tlikeitweneedn’tgoinside。’
’Don’tbeallday，’saidthePsammead。
SoAntheahastilyutteredthewordofpower，withoutwhichthecharmcoulddonothing。
’Ur——Hekau——Setcheh！’shesaidsoftly，andasshespokethecharmgrewintoanarchsotallthatthetopofitwascloseagainstthebedroomceiling。Outsidethearchwasthebedroompaintedchest—of—drawersandtheKidderminstercarpet，andthewashhand—standwiththerivetedwillow—patternjug，andthefadedcurtains，andthedulllightofindoorsonawetday。Throughthearchshowedthegleamofsoftgreenleavesandwhiteblossoms。Theysteppedforwardquitehappily。EvenJanefeltthatthisdidnotlooklikelions，andherhandhardlytrembledatallassheheldthecharmfortheotherstogothrough，andlast，slippedthroughherself，andhungthecharm，nowgrownsmallagain，roundherneck。
Thechildrenfoundthemselvesunderawhite—blossomed，green—leafedfruit—tree，inwhatseemedtobeanorchardofsuchtrees，allwhite—floweredandgreen—foliaged。Amongthelonggreengrassundertheirfeetgrewcrocusesandlilies，andstrangeblueflowers。Inthebranchesoverheadthrushesandblackbirdsweresinging，andthecooofapigeoncamesoftlytotheminthegreenquietnessoftheorchard。
’Oh，howperfectlylovely！’criedAnthea。
’Why，it’slikehomeexactly——ImeanEngland——onlyeverything’sbluer，andwhiter，andgreener，andtheflowersarebigger。’
Theboysownedthatitcertainlywasfairlydecent，andevenJaneadmittedthatitwasallverypretty。
’I’mcertainthere’snothingtobefrightenedofhere，’saidAnthea。
’Idon’tknow，’saidJane。’Isupposethefruit—treesgoonjustthesameevenwhenpeoplearekillingeachother。Ididn’thalflikewhatthelearnedgentlemansaidaboutthehanginggardens。
Isupposetheyhavegardensonpurposetohangpeoplein。Idohopethisisn’tone。’
’Ofcourseitisn’t，’saidCyril。’Thehanginggardensarejustgardenshungup——_I_thinkonchainsbetweenhouses，don’tyouknow，liketrays。Comeon；let’sgetsomewhere。’
Theybegantowalkthroughthecoolgrass。Asfarastheycouldseewasnothingbuttrees，andtreesandmoretrees。Attheendoftheirorchardwasanotherone，onlyseparatedfromtheirsbyalittlestreamofclearwater。Theyjumpedthis，andwenton。
Cyril，whowasfondofgardening——whichmeantthathelikedtowatchthegardeneratwork——wasabletocommandtherespectoftheothersbytellingthemthenamesofagoodmanytrees。Therewerenut—treesandalmond—trees，andapricots，andfig—treeswiththeirbigfive—fingeredleaves。Andeverynowandthenthechildrenhadtocrossanotherbrook。
’It’slikebetweenthesquaresinThroughtheLooking—glass，’
saidAnthea。
Atlasttheycametoanorchardwhichwasquitedifferentfromtheotherorchards。Ithadalowbuildinginonecorner。
’Thesearevines，’saidCyrilsuperiorly，’andIknowthisisavineyard。Ishouldn’twonderiftherewasawine—pressinsidethatplaceoverthere。’
Atlasttheygotoutoftheorchardsandontoasortofroad，veryrough，andnotatallliketheroadsyouareusedto。Ithadcypresstreesandacaciatreesalongit，andasortofhedgeoftamarisks，likethoseyouseeontheroadbetweenNiceandCannes，ornearLittlehampton，ifyou’veonlybeenasfarasthat。
Andnowinfrontofthemtheycouldseeagreatmassofbuildings。Therewerescatteredhousesofwoodandstonehereandthereamonggreenorchards，andbeyondtheseagreatwallthatshoneredintheearlymorningsun。Thewallwasenormouslyhigh——morethanhalftheheightofStPaul’s——andinthewallweresetenormousgatesthatshonelikegoldastherisingsunbeatonthem。Eachgatehadasolidsquaretoweroneachsideofitthatstoodoutfromthewallandroseaboveit。Beyondthewallweremoretowersandhouses，gleamingwithgoldandbrightcolours。Awaytotheleftranthesteel—blueswirlofagreatriver。Andthechildrencouldsee，throughagapinthetrees，thattheriverflowedoutfromthetownunderagreatarchinthewall。
’Thosefeatherythingsalongbythewaterarepalms，’saidCyrilinstructively。
’Oh，yes；youknoweverything，’Robertreplied。’What’sallthatgrey—greenstuffyouseeawayoverthere，whereit’sallflatandsandy？’
’Allright，’saidCyrilloftily，’_I_don’twanttotellyouanything。Ionlythoughtyou’dliketoknowapalm—treewhenyousawitagain。’
’Look！’criedAnthea；’they’reopeningthegates。’
Andindeedthegreatgatesswungbackwithabrazenclang，andinstantlyalittlecrowdofadozenormorepeoplecameoutandalongtheroadtowardsthem。
Thechildren，withoneaccord，crouchedbehindthetamariskhedge。
’Idon’tlikethesoundofthosegates，’saidJane。’Fancybeinginsidewhentheyshut。You’dnevergetout。’
’You’vegotanarchofyourowntogooutby，’thePsammeadputitsheadoutofthebaskettoremindher。’Don’tbehavesolikeagirl。IfIwereyouIshouldjustmarchrightintothetownandasktoseetheking。’
Therewassomethingatoncesimpleandgrandaboutthisidea，anditpleasedeveryone。
Sowhenthework—peoplehadpassed（theyWEREwork—people，thechildrenfeltsure，becausetheyweredressedsoplainly——justonelongblueshirtthing——ofblueoryellow）thefourchildrenmarchedboldlyuptothebrazengatebetweenthetowers。Thearchabovethegatewasquiteatunnel，thewallsweresothick。
’Courage，’saidCyril。’Stepout。It’snousetryingtosneakpast。Bebold！’
Robertansweredthisappealbyunexpectedlyburstinginto’TheBritishGrenadiers’，andtoitsquick—steptheyapproachedthegatesofBabylon。
’SometalkofAlexander，AndsomeofHercules，OfHectorandLysander，Andsuchgreatnamesasthese。
Butofallthegallantheroes……’
Thisbroughtthemtothethresholdofthegate，andtwomeninbrightarmoursuddenlybarredtheirwaywithcrossedspears。
’Whogoesthere？’theysaid。
（IthinkImusthaveexplainedtoyoubeforehowitwasthatthechildrenwerealwaysabletounderstandthelanguageofanyplacetheymighthappentobein，andtobethemselvesunderstood。Ifnot，Ihavenotimetoexplainitnow。）
’Wecomefromveryfar，’saidCyrilmechanically。’FromtheEmpirewherethesunneversets，andwewanttoseeyourKing。’
’Ifit’squiteconvenient，’amendedAnthea。’TheKing（mayheliveforever！），’saidthegatekeeper，’isgonetofetchhomehisfourteenthwife。Whereonearthhaveyoucomefromnottoknowthat？’
’TheQueenthen，’saidAntheahurriedly，andnottakinganynoticeofthequestionastowheretheyhadcomefrom。
’TheQueen，’saidthegatekeeper，’（maysheliveforever！）givesaudiencetodaythreehoursaftersunrising。’
’Butwhatarewetodotilltheendofthethreehours？’askedCyril。
Thegatekeeperseemedneithertoknownortocare。Heappearedlessinterestedinthemthantheycouldhavethoughtpossible。
Butthemanwhohadcrossedspearswithhimtobarthechildren’swaywasmorehuman。
’Letthemgoinandlookaboutthem，’hesaid。’I’llwagermybestswordthey’veneverseenanythingtocomenearourlittle——village。’HesaiditinthetonepeopleuseforwhentheycalltheAtlanticOceanthe’herringpond’。
Thegatekeeperhesitated。
’They’reonlychildren，afterall，’saidtheother，whohadchildrenofhisown。’Letmeoffforafewminutes，Captain，andI’lltakethemtomyplaceandseeifmygoodwomancan’tfitthemupinsomethingalittlelessoutlandishthantheirpresentrig。Thentheycanhavealookroundwithoutbeingmobbed。MayIgo？’
’Ohyes，ifyoulike，’saidtheCaptain，’butdon’tbeallday。’
Themanledthemthroughthedarkarchintothetown。AnditwasverydifferentfromLondon。Foronething，everythinginLondonseemstobepatchedupoutofoddsandends，butthesehousesseemedtohavebeenbuiltbypeoplewholikedthesamesortofthings。Notthattheywereallalike，forthoughallweresquarish，theywereofdifferentsizes，anddecoratedinallsortsofdifferentways，somewithpaintingsinbrightcolours，somewithblackandsilverdesigns。Therewereterraces，andgardens，andbalconies，andopenspaceswithtrees。Theirguidetookthemtoalittlehouseinabackstreet，whereakind—facedwomansatspinningatthedoorofaverydarkroom。
’Here，’hesaid，’justlendthesechildrenamantleeach，sothattheycangoaboutandseetheplacetilltheQueen’saudiencebegins。Youleavethatwoolforabit，andshowthemroundifyoulike。Imustbeoffnow。’
Thewomandidasshewastold，andthefourchildren，wrappedinfringedmantles，wentwithherallaboutthetown，andoh！howI
wishIhadtimetotellyouallthattheysaw。Itwasallsowonderfullydifferentfromanythingyouhaveeverseen。Foronething，allthehousesweredazzlinglybright，andmanyofthemcoveredwithpictures。Somehadgreatcreaturescarvedinstoneateachsideofthedoor。Thenthepeople——therewerenoblackfrock—coatsandtallhats；nodingycoatsandskirtsofgood，useful，uglystuffswarrantedtowear。Everyone’sclotheswerebrightandbeautifulwithblueandscarletandgreenandgold。
Themarketwasbrighterthanyouwouldthinkanythingcouldbe。
Therewerestallsforeverythingyoucouldpossiblywant——andforagreatmanythingsthatifyouwantedhereandnow，wantwouldbeyourmaster。Therewerepineapplesandpeachesinheaps——andstallsofcrockeryandglassthings，beautifulshapesandgloriouscolours，therewerestallsfornecklaces，andclasps，andbracelets，andbrooches，forwovenstuffs，andfurs，andembroideredlinen。Thechildrenhadneverseenhalfsomanybeautifulthingstogether，evenatLiberty’s。Itseemednotimeatallbeforethewomansaid——
’It’snearlytimenow。Weoughttobegettingontowardsthepalace。It’saswelltobeearly。’Sotheywenttothepalace，andwhentheygotthereitwasmoresplendidthananythingtheyhadseenyet。
Foritwasglowingwithcolours，andwithgoldandsilverandblackandwhite——likesomemagnificentembroidery。Flightafterflightofbroadmarblestepsleduptoit，andattheedgesofthestairsstoodgreatimages，twentytimesasbigasaman——imagesofmenwithwingslikechainarmour，andhawks’
heads，andwingedmenwiththeheadsofdogs。Andtherewerethestatuesofgreatkings。
Betweentheflightsofstepswereterraceswherefountainsplayed，andtheQueen’sGuardinwhiteandscarlet，andarmourthatshonelikegold，stoodbytwosliningthewayupthestairs；
andagreatbodyofthemwasmassedbythevastdoorofthepalaceitself，whereitstoodglitteringlikeanimpossiblyradiantpeacockinthenoon—daysun。
AllsortsofpeoplewerepassingupthestepstoseekaudienceoftheQueen。Ladiesinrichly—embroidereddresseswithfringyflounces，poorfolksinplainandsimpleclothes，dandieswithbeardsoiledandcurled。
AndCyril，Robert，AntheaandJane，wentwiththecrowd。
AtthegateofthepalacethePsammeadputoneeyecautiouslyoutofthebasketandwhispered——
’Ican’tbebotheredwithqueens。I’llgohomewiththislady。
I’msureshe’llgetmesomesandifyouaskherto。’
’Oh！don’tleaveus，’saidJane。ThewomanwasgivingsomelastinstructionsinCourtetiquettetoAnthea，anddidnothearJane。
’Don’tbealittlemuff，’saidthePsammeadquitefiercely。
’It’snotabitofgoodyourhavingacharm。Youneveruseit。
Ifyouwantmeyou’veonlygottosaythenameofpowerandaskthecharmtobringmetoyou。’
’I’drathergowithyou，’saidJane。Anditwasthemostsurprisingthingshehadeversaidinherlife。
Everyoneopeneditsmouthwithoutthinkingofmanners，andAnthea，whowaspeepingintothePsammead’sbasket，sawthatitsmouthopenedwiderthananybody’s。
’Youneedn’tgawplikethat，’Janewenton。’I’mnotgoingtobebotheredwithqueensanymorethanITis。AndIknow，whereveritis，it’lltakejollygoodcarethatit’ssafe。’
’She’srightthere，’saideveryone，fortheyhadobservedthatthePsammeadhadawayofknowingwhichsideitsbreadwasbuttered。
Sheturnedtothewomanandsaid，’You’lltakemehomewithyou，won’tyou？AndletmeplaywithyourlittlegirlstilltheothershavedonewiththeQueen。’
’SurelyIwill，littleheart！’saidthewoman。
AndthenAntheahurriedlystrokedthePsammeadandembracedJane，whotookthewoman’shand，andtrottedcontentedlyawaywiththePsammead’sbagundertheotherarm。
Theothersstoodlookingafterhertillshe，thewoman，andthebasketwerelostinthemany—colouredcrowd。ThenAntheaturnedoncemoretothepalace’smagnificentdoorwayandsaid——
’Let’sasktheportertotakecareofourBabylonianovercoats。’
SotheytookoffthegarmentsthatthewomanhadlentthemandstoodamidthejostlingpetitionersoftheQueenintheirownEnglishfrocksandcoatsandhatsandboots。
’WewanttoseetheQueen，’saidCyril；’wecomefromthefarEmpirewherethesunneversets！’
Amurmurofsurpriseandathrillofexcitementranthroughthecrowd。Thedoor—porterspoketoablackman，hespoketosomeoneelse。Therewasawhispering，waitingpause。Thenabigman，withacleanly—shavenface，beckonedthemfromthetopofaflightofredmarblesteps。
Theywentup；thebootsofRobertclatteringmorethanusualbecausehewassonervous。Adoorswungopen，acurtainwasdrawnback。Adoublelineofbowingformsingorgeousraimentformedalanethatledtothestepsofthethrone，andasthechildrenadvancedhurriedlytherecamefromthethroneavoiceverysweetandkind。
’Threechildrenfromthelandwherethesunneversets！Letthemdrawhitherwithoutfear。’
Inanotherminutetheywerekneelingatthethrone’sfoot，saying，’OQueen，liveforever！’exactlyasthewomanhadtaughtthem。Andasplendiddream—lady，allgoldandsilverandjewelsandsnowydriftofveils，wasraisingAnthea，andsaying——
’Don’tbefrightened，IreallyamSOgladyoucame！Thelandwherethesunneversets！Iamdelightedtoseeyou！Iwasgettingquitetoodreadfullyboredforanything！’
AndbehindAntheathekneelingCyrilwhisperedintheearsoftherespectfulRobert——
’Bobs，don’tsayanythingtoPanther。It’snouseupsettingher，butwedidn’taskforJane’saddress，andthePsammead’swithher。’
’Well，’whisperedRobert，’thecharmcanbringthemtousatanymoment。ITsaidso。’
’Oh，yes，’whisperedCyril，inmiserablederision，’WE’REallright，ofcourse。Soweare！Oh，yes！Ifwe’donlyGOTthecharm。’
ThenRobertsaw，andhemurmured，’Crikey！’atthefootofthethroneofBabylon；whileCyrilhoarselywhisperedtheplainEnglishfact——
’Jane’sgotthecharmroundherneck，yousillycuckoo。’
’Crikey！’Robertrepeatedinheart—brokenundertones。
CHAPTER7
’THEDEEPESTDUNGEONBELOWTHECASTLEMOAT’
TheQueenthrewthreeoftheredandgoldembroideredcushionsoffthethroneontothemarblestepsthatleduptoit。
’Justmakeyourselvescomfortablethere，’shesaid。’I’msimplydyingtotalktoyou，andtohearallaboutyourwonderfulcountryandhowyougothere，andeverything，butIhavetodojusticeeverymorning。Suchabore，isn’tit？Doyoudojusticeinyourowncountry？’
’No，saidCyril；’atleastofcoursewetryto，butnotinthispublicsortofway，onlyinprivate。’’Ah，yes，’saidtheQueen，’Ishouldmuchpreferaprivateaudiencemyself——mucheasiertomanage。Butpublicopinionhastobeconsidered。Doingjusticeisveryhardwork，evenwhenyou’rebroughtuptoit。’
’Wedon’tdojustice，butwehavetodoscales，Janeandme，’
saidAnthea，’twentyminutesaday。It’ssimplyhorrid。’
’Whatarescales？’askedtheQueen，’andwhatisJane？’
’Janeismylittlesister。Oneoftheguards—at—the—gate’swifeistakingcareofher。Andscalesaremusic。’
’Ineverheardoftheinstrument，’saidtheQueen。’Doyousing？’
’Oh，yes。Wecansinginparts，’saidAnthea。
’ThatISmagic，’saidtheQueen。’Howmanypartsareyoueachcutintobeforeyoudoit？’
’Wearen’tcutatall，’saidRoberthastily。’Wecouldn’tsingifwewere。We’llshowyouafterwards。’
’Soyoushall，andnowsitquietlikedearchildrenandhearmedojustice。ThewayIdoithasalwaysbeenadmired。Ioughtn’ttosaythatoughtI？Soundssoconceited。ButIdon’tmindwithyou，dears。SomehowIfeelasthoughI’dknownyouquitealongtimealready。’
TheQueensettledherselfonherthroneandmadeasignaltoherattendants。Thechildren，whisperingtogetheramongthecushionsonthestepsofthethrone，decidedthatshewasverybeautifulandverykind，butperhapsjusttheleastbitflighty。
Thefirstpersonwhocametoaskforjusticewasawomanwhosebrotherhadtakenthemoneythefatherhadleftforher。Thebrothersaiditwastheunclewhohadthemoney。Therewasagooddealoftalkandthechildrenweregrowingratherbored，whentheQueensuddenlyclappedherhands，andsaid——
’Putboththemeninprisontilloneofthemownsupthattheotherisinnocent。’
’Butsupposetheybothdidit？’Cyrilcouldnothelpinterrupting。
’Thenprison’sthebestplaceforthem，’saidtheQueen。
’Butsupposeneitherdidit。’
’That’simpossible，’saidtheQueen；’athing’snotdoneunlesssomeonedoesit。Andyoumustn’tinterrupt。’
Thencameawoman，intears，withatornveilandrealashesonherhead——atleastAntheathoughtso，butitmayhavebeenonlyroad—dust。Shecomplainedthatherhusbandwasinprison。
’Whatfor？’saidtheQueen。
’TheySAIDitwasforspeakingevilofyourMajesty，’saidthewoman，’butitwasn’t。Someonehadaspiteagainsthim。Thatwaswhatitwas。’
’Howdoyouknowhehadn’tspokenevilofme？’saidtheQueen。
’Noonecould，’saidthewomansimply，’whenthey’donceseenyourbeautifulface。’
’Letthemanout，’saidtheQueen，smiling。’Nextcase。’
Thenextcasewasthatofaboywhohadstolenafox。’LiketheSpartanboy，’whisperedRobert。ButtheQueenruledthatnobodycouldhaveanypossiblereasonforowningafox，andstilllessforstealingone。AndshedidnotbelievethattherewereanyfoxesinBabylon；she，atanyrate，hadneverseenone。Sotheboywasreleased。
ThepeoplecametotheQueenaboutallsortsoffamilyquarrelsandneighbourlymisunderstandings——fromafightbetweenbrothersoverthedivisionofaninheritance，tothedishonestandunfriendlyconductofawomanwhohadborrowedacooking—potatthelastNewYear’sfestival，andnotreturnedityet。
AndtheQueendecidedeverything，very，verydecidedlyindeed。
Atlastsheclappedherhandsquitesuddenlyandwithextremeloudness，andsaid——
’Theaudienceisoverfortoday。’
Everyonesaid，’MaytheQueenliveforever！’andwentout。
Andthechildrenwereleftaloneinthejustice—hallwiththeQueenofBabylonandherladies。
’There！’saidtheQueen，withalongsighofrelief。’THAT’S
over！Icouldn’thavedoneanotherstitchofjusticeifyou’dofferedmethecrownofEgypt！Nowcomeintothegarden，andwe’llhaveanice，long，cosytalk。’
Sheledthemthroughlong，narrowcorridorswhosewallstheysomehowfelt，werevery，verythick，intoasortofgardencourtyard。Therewerethickshrubscloselyplanted，androsesweretrainedovertrellises，andmadeapleasantshade——needed，indeed，foralreadythesunwasashotasitisinEnglandinAugustattheseaside。
Slavesspreadcushionsonalow，marbleterrace，andabigmanwithasmoothfaceservedcooldrinkincupsofgoldstuddedwithberyls。HedrankalittlefromtheQueen’scupbeforehandingittoher。
’That’sratheranastytrick，’whisperedRobert，whohadbeencarefullytaughtnevertodrinkoutofoneofthenice，shiny，metalcupsthatarechainedtotheLondondrinkingfountainswithoutfirstrinsingitoutthoroughly。
TheQueenoverheardhim。
’Notatall，’saidshe。’Ritti—Mardukisaverycleanman。AndonehastohaveSOMEONEastaster，youknow，becauseofpoison。’
Thewordmadethechildrenfeelrathercreepy；butRitti—Mardukhadtastedallthecups，sotheyfeltprettysafe。Thedrinkwasdelicious——verycold，andtastinglikelemonadeandpartlylikepennyices。
’Leaveus，’saidtheQueen。AndalltheCourtladies，intheirbeautiful，many—folded，many—coloured，fringeddresses，filedoutslowly，andthechildrenwereleftalonewiththeQueen。
’Now，’shesaid，’tellmeallaboutyourselves。’
Theylookedateachother。
’You，Bobs，’saidCyril。
’No——Anthea，’saidRobert。
’No——you——Cyril，’saidAnthea。’Don’tyourememberhowpleasedtheQueenofIndiawaswhenyoutoldherallaboutus？’
Cyrilmutteredthatitwasallverywell，andsoitwas。ForwhenhehadtoldthetaleofthePhoenixandtheCarpettotheRanee，ithadbeenonlythetruth——andallthetruththathehadtotell。ButnowitwasnoteasytotellaconvincingstorywithoutmentioningtheAmulet——which，ofcourse，itwouldn’thavedonetomention——andwithoutowningthattheywerereallylivinginLondon，about2，500yearslaterthanthetimetheyweretalkingin。
CyriltookrefugeinthetaleofthePsammeadanditswonderfulpowerofmakingwishescometrue。Thechildrenhadneverbeenabletotellanyonebefore，andCyrilwassurprisedtofindthatthespellwhichkeptthemsilentinLondondidnotworkhere。
’SomethingtodowithourbeinginthePast，Isuppose，’hesaidtohimself。
’ThisisMOSTinteresting，’saidtheQueen。’WemusthavethisPsammeadforthebanquettonight。Itsperformancewillbeoneofthemostpopularturnsinthewholeprogramme。Whereisit？’
Antheaexplainedthattheydidnotknow；alsowhyitwasthattheydidnotknow。
’Oh，THAT’Squitesimple，’saidtheQueen，andeveryonebreathedadeepsighofreliefasshesaidit。
’Ritti—Mardukshallrundowntothegatesandfindoutwhichguardyoursisterwenthomewith。’
’Mighthe’——Anthea’svoicewastremulous——’mighthe——woulditinterferewithhismeal—times，oranythinglikethat，ifhewentNOW？’
’Ofcourseheshallgonow。Hemaythinkhimselfluckyifhegetshismealsatanytime，’saidtheQueenheartily，andclappedherhands。
’MayIsendaletter？’askedCyril，pullingoutared—backedpennyaccount—book，andfeelinginhispocketsforastumpofpencilthatheknewwasinoneofthem。
’Byallmeans。I’llcallmyscribe。’
’Oh，Icanscriberightenough，thanks，’saidCyril，findingthepencilandlickingitspoint。Heevenhadtobitethewoodalittle，foritwasveryblunt。
’Oh，youclever，cleverboy！’saidtheQueen。’DOletmewatchyoudoit！’
Cyrilwroteonaleafofthebook——itwasofrough，woollypaper，withhairsthatstuckoutandwouldhavegotinhispenifhehadbeenusingone，andruledforaccounts。
’HideITmostcarefullybeforeyoucomehere，’hewrote，’anddon’tmentionit——anddestroythisletter。EverythingisgoingA1。TheQueenisafairtreat。There’snothingtobeafraidof。’
’Whatcuriouscharacters，andwhatastrangeflatsurface！’saidtheQueen。’Whathaveyouinscribed？’
’I’ve’scribed，’repliedCyrilcautiously，’thatyouarefair，anda——andlikea——likeafestival；andthatsheneednotbeafraid，andthatsheistocomeatonce。’
Ritti—Marduk，whohadcomeinandhadstoodwaitingwhileCyrilwrote，hisBabylonisheyesnearlystartingoutofhisBabylonishhead，nowtooktheletter，withsomereluctance。
’OQueen，liveforever！Isitacharm？’hetimidlyasked。’A
strongcharm，mostgreatlady？’
’YES，’saidRobert，unexpectedly，’itISacharm，butitwon’thurtanyoneuntilyou’vegivenittoJane。Andthenshe’lldestroyit，sothatitCAN’Thurtanyone。It’smostawfulstrong！——asstrongas——Peppermint！’heendedabruptly。
’Iknownotthegod，’saidRitti—Marduk，bendingtimorously。
’She’lltearitupdirectlyshegetsit，’saidRobert，’That’llendthecharm。Youneedn’tbeafraidifyougonow。’
Ritti—Mardukwent，seemingonlypartlysatisfied；andthentheQueenbegantoadmirethepennyaccount—bookandthebitofpencilinsomarkedandsignificantawaythatCyrilfelthecouldnotdolessthanpressthemuponherasagift。Sheruffledtheleavesdelightedly。
’Whatawonderfulsubstance！’shesaid。’Andwiththisstyleyoumakecharms？Makeacharmforme！Doyouknow，’hervoicesanktoawhisper，’thenamesofthegreatonesofyourownfarcountry？’
’Rather！’saidCyril，andhastilywrotethenamesofAlfredtheGreat，Shakespeare，Nelson，Gordon，LordBeaconsfield，MrRudyardKipling，andMrSherlockHolmes，whiletheQueenwatchedhimwith’unbaitedbreath’，asAntheasaidafterwards。
Shetookthebookandhiditreverentlyamongthebrightfoldsofhergown。
’Youshallteachmelatertosaythegreatnames，’shesaid。
’AndthenamesoftheirMinisters——perhapsthegreatNisrochisoneofthem？’
’Idon’tthinkso，’saidCyril。’MrCampbellBannerman’sPrimeMinisterandMrBurnsaMinister，andsoistheArchbishopofCanterbury，Ithink，butI’mnotsure——andDrParkerwasone，I
know，and——’
’Nomore，’saidtheQueen，puttingherhandstoherears。’Myhead’sgoingroundwithallthosegreatnames。Youshallteachthemtomelater——becauseofcourseyou’llmakeusanicelongvisitnowyouhavecome，won’tyou？Nowtellme——butno，Iamquitetiredoutwithyourbeingsoclever。Besides，I’msureyou’dlikeMEtotellYOUsomething，wouldn’tyou？’
’Yes，’saidAnthea。’IwanttoknowhowitisthattheKinghasgone——’
’Excuseme，butyoushouldsay"theKingmay—he—live—for—ever"，’
saidtheQueengently。
’Ibegyourpardon，’Antheahastenedtosay——’theKingmay—he—live—for—everhasgonetofetchhomehisfourteenthwife？
Idon’tthinkevenBluebeardhadasmanyasthat。And，besides，hehasn’tkilledYOUatanyrate。’
TheQueenlookedbewildered。
’Shemeans，’explainedRobert，’thatEnglishkingsonlyhaveonewife——atleast，HenrytheEighthhadsevenoreight，butnotallatonce。’
’Inourcountry，’saidtheQueenscornfully，’akingwouldnotreignadaywhohadonlyonewife。Noonewouldrespecthim，andquiterighttoo。’
’Thenarealltheotherthirteenalive？’askedAnthea。
’Ofcoursetheyare——poormean—spiritedthings！Idon’tassociatewiththem，ofcourse，IamtheQueen：they’reonlythewives。’
’Isee，’saidAnthea，gasping。
’Butoh，mydears，’theQueenwenton，’suchato—doasthere’sbeenaboutthislastwife！Youneverdid！ItreallywasTOO
funny。WewantedanEgyptianprincess。TheKingmay—he—live—for—everhasgotawifefrommostoftheimportantnations，andhehadsethisheartonanEgyptianonetocompletehiscollection。Well，ofcourse，tobeginwith，wesentahandsomepresentofgold。TheEgyptiankingsentbacksomehorses——quiteafew；he’sfearfullystingy！——andhesaidhelikedthegoldverymuch，butwhattheywerereallyshortofwaslapislazuli，soofcoursewesenthimsome。Butbythattimehe’dbeguntousethegoldtocoverthebeamsoftheroofoftheTempleoftheSun—God，andhehadn’tnearlyenoughtofinishthejob，sowesentsomemore。Andsoitwenton，oh，foryears。
Youseeeachjourneytakesatleastsixmonths。Andatlastweaskedthehandofhisdaughterinmarriage。’
’Yes，andthen？’saidAnthea，whowantedtogettotheprincesspartofthestory。
’Well，then，’saidtheQueen，’whenhe’dgoteverythingoutofusthathecould，andonlygiventhemeanestpresentsinreturn，hesenttosayhewouldesteemthehonourofanallianceveryhighly，onlyunfortunatelyhehadn’tanydaughter，buthehopedonewouldbebornsoon，andifso，sheshouldcertainlybereservedfortheKingofBabylon！’
’Whatatrick！’saidCyril。
’Yes，wasn’tit？Sothenwesaidhissisterwoulddo，andthenthereweremoregiftsandmorejourneys；andnowatlastthetiresome，black—hairedthingiscoming，andtheKingmay—he—live—for—everhasgonesevendays’journeytomeetheratCarchemish。Andhe’sgoneinhisbestchariot，theoneinlaidwithlapislazuliandgold，withthegold—platedwheelsandonyx—studdedhubs——muchtoogreatanhonourinmyopinion。
She’llbeheretonight；there’llbeagrandbanquettocelebrateherarrival。SHEwon’tbepresent，ofcourse。She’llbehavingherbathsandheranointings，andallthatsortofthing。Wealwayscleanourforeignbridesverycarefully。Ittakestwoorthreeweeks。Nowit’sdinnertime，andyoushalleatwithme，forIcanseethatyouareofhighrank。’Sheledthemintoadark，coolhall，withmanycushionsonthefloor。Onthesetheysatandlowtableswerebrought——beautifultablesofsmooth，bluestonemountedingold。Onthese，goldentrayswereplaced；buttherewerenoknives，orforks，orspoons。ThechildrenexpectedtheQueentocallforthem；butno。Shejustatewithherfingers，andasthefirstdishwasagreattrayofboiledcorn，andmeatandraisinsallmixeduptogether，andmeltedfatpouredalloverthetray，itwasfounddifficulttofollowherexamplewithanythinglikewhatweareusedtothinkofasgoodtablemanners。Therewerestewedquincesafterwards，anddatesinsyrup，andthickyellowycream。ItwasthekindofdinneryouhardlyevergetinFitzroyStreet。
Afterdinnereverybodywenttosleep，eventhechildren。
TheQueenawokewithastart。
’Goodgracious！’shecried，’whatatimewe’veslept！Imustrushoffanddressforthebanquet。Ishan’thavemuchmorethantime。’
’Hasn’tRitti—MardukgotbackwithoursisterandthePsammeadyet？’Antheaasked。
’IQUITEforgottoask。I’msorry，’saidtheQueen。’Andofcoursetheywouldn’tannounceherunlessItoldthemto，exceptduringjusticehours。Iexpectshe’swaitingoutside。I’llsee。’
Ritti—Mardukcameinamomentlater。
’Iregret，’hesaid，’thatIhavebeenunabletofindyoursister。Thebeastshebearswithherinabaskethasbittenthechildoftheguard，andyoursisterandthebeastsetouttocometoyou。Thepolicesaytheyhaveaclue。Nodoubtweshallhavenewsofherinafewweeks。’Hebowedandwithdrew。
Thehorrorofthisthreefoldloss——Jane，thePsammead，andtheAmulet——gavethechildrensomethingtotalkaboutwhiletheQueenwasdressing。Ishallnotreporttheirconversation；itwasverygloomy。Everyonerepeatedhimselfseveraltimes，andthediscussionendedineachofthemblamingtheothertwoforhavingletJanego。Youknowthesortoftalkitwas，don’tyou？AtlastCyrilsaid——
’Afterall，she’swiththePsammead，soSHE’Sallright。ThePsammeadisjollycarefulofitselftoo。Anditisn’tasifwewereinanydanger。Let’strytobuckupandenjoythebanquet。’
Theydidenjoythebanquet。Theyhadabeautifulbath，whichwasdelicious，wereheavilyoiledallover，includingtheirhair，andthatwasmostunpleasant。Then，theydressedagainandwerepresentedtotheKing，whowasmostaffable。Thebanquetwaslong；therewereallsortsofnicethingstoeat，andeverybodyseemedtoeatanddrinkagooddeal。Everyonelayoncushionsandcouches，ladiesononesideandgentlemenontheother；andaftertheeatingwasdoneeachladywentandsatbysomegentleman，whoseemedtobehersweetheartorherhusband，fortheywereveryaffectionatetoeachother。TheCourtdresseshadgoldthreadswoveninthem，verybrightandbeautiful。
Themiddleoftheroomwasleftclear，anddifferentpeoplecameanddidamusingthings。Therewereconjurersandjugglersandsnake—charmers，whichlastAntheadidnotlikeatall。
Whenitgotdarktorcheswerelighted。Cedarsplintersdippedinoilblazedincopperdishessethighonpoles。
Thentherewasadancer，whohardlydancedatall，onlyjuststruckattitudes。Shehadhardlyanyclothes，andwasnotatallpretty。Thechildrenwereratherboredbyher，buteveryoneelsewasdelighted，includingtheKing。
’BythebeardofNimrod！’hecried，’askwhatyoulikegirl，andyoushallhaveit！’
’Iwantnothing，’saidthedancer；’thehonourofhavingpleasedtheKingmay—he—live—for—everisrewardenoughforme。’
AndtheKingwassopleasedwiththismodestandsensiblereplythathegaveherthegoldcollaroffhisownneck。
’Isay！’saidCyril，awedbythemagnificenceofthegift。
’It’sallright，’whisperedtheQueen，’it’snothisbestcollarbyanymeans。Wealwayskeepastockofcheapjewelleryfortheseoccasions。Andnow——youpromisedtosingussomething。
Wouldyoulikemyminstrelstoaccompanyyou？’
’No，thankyou，’saidAntheaquickly。Theminstrelshadbeenplayingoffandonallthetime，andtheirmusicremindedAntheaofthebandsheandtheothershadoncehadonthefifthofNovember——withpennyhorns，atinwhistle，atea—tray，thetongs，apoliceman’srattle，andatoydrum。Theyhadenjoyedthisbandverymuchatthetime。Butitwasquitedifferentwhensomeoneelsewasmakingthesamekindofmusic。AntheaunderstoodnowthatFatherhadnotbeenreallyheartlessandunreasonablewhenhehadtoldthemtostopthatinfuriatingdin。
’Whatshallwesing？’Cyrilwasasking。
’Sweetandlow？’suggestedAnthea。
’Toosoft——Ivotefor"Whowillo’erthedowns"。Nowthen——one，two，three。
’Oh，whowillo’erthedownssofree，Oh，whowillwithmeride，Oh，whowillupandfollowme，Towinabloomingbride？
Herfatherhehaslockedthedoor，Hermotherkeepsthekey；
ButneitherboltnorbarshallkeepMyowntruelovefromme。’
Jane，thealto，wasmissing，andRobert，unlikethemotheroftheladyinthesong，nevercould’keepthekey’，butthesong，evenso，wassufficientlyunlikeanythinganyofthemhadeverheardtorousetheBabylonianCourttothewildestenthusiasm。
’More，more，’criedtheKing；’bymybeard，thissavagemusicisanewthing。Singagain！’
Sotheysang：
’Isawherbowerattwilightgray，’Twasguardedsafeandsure。
Isawherboweratbreakofday，’Twasguardedthennomore。
Thevarletstheywereallasleep，AndtherewasnonetoseeThegreetingfairthatpassedthereBetweenmyloveandme。’
Shoutsofapplausegreetedtheendingoftheverse，andtheKingwouldnotbesatisfiedtilltheyhadsungalltheirpart—songs（theyonlyknewthree）twiceover，andendedupwith’MenofHarlech’inunison。ThentheKingstoodupinhisroyalrobeswithhishigh，narrowcrownonhisheadandshouted——
’BythebeakofNisroch，askwhatyouwill，strangersfromthelandwherethesunneversets！’
’Weoughttosayit’senoughhonour，likethedancerdid，’
whisperedAnthea’No，let’saskforIT，’saidRobert。
’No，no，I’msuretheother’smanners，’saidAnthea。ButRobert，whowasexcitedbythemusic，andtheflaringtorches，andtheapplauseandtheopportunity，spokeupbeforetheotherscouldstophim。
’GiveusthehalfoftheAmuletthathasonitthenameURHEKAU
SETCHEH，’hesaid，addingasanafterthought，’OKing，live—for—ever。’
Ashespokethegreatnamethoseinthepillaredhallfellontheirfaces，andlaystill。AllbuttheQueenwhocrouchedamidhercushionswithherheadinherhands，andtheKing，whostoodupright，perfectlystill，likethestatueofakinginstone。Itwasonlyforamomentthough。Thenhisgreatvoicethunderedout——
’Guard，seizethem！’
Instantly，fromnowhereasitseemed，sprangeightsoldiersinbrightarmourinlaidwithgold，andtunicsofredandwhite。
Verysplendidtheywere，andveryalarming。
’Impiousandsacrilegiouswretches！’shoutedtheKing。’Tothedungeonswiththem！Wewillfindaway，tomorrow，tomakethemspeak。ForwithoutdoubttheycantelluswheretofindthelosthalfofIt。’
Awallofscarletandwhiteandsteelandgoldcloseduproundthechildrenandhurriedthemawayamongthemanypillarsofthegreathall。Astheywenttheyheardthevoicesofthecourtiersloudinhorror。
’You’vedoneitthistime，’saidCyrilwithextremebitterness。
’Oh，itwillcomeright。ItMUST。Italwaysdoes，’saidAntheadesperately。
Theycouldnotseewheretheyweregoing，becausetheguardsurroundedthemsoclosely，butthegroundundertheirfeet，smoothmarbleatfirst，grewrougherlikestone，thenitwaslooseearthandsand，andtheyfeltthenightair。Thentherewasmorestone，andstepsdown。
’It’smybeliefwereallyAREgoingtothedeepestdungeonbelowthecastlemoatthistime，’saidCyril。
Andtheywere。Atleastitwasnotbelowamoat，butbelowtheriverEuphrates，whichwasjustasbadifnotworse。Inamostunpleasantplaceitwas。Dark，very，verydamp，andwithanodd，mustysmellratherliketheshellsofoysters。Therewasatorch——thatistosay，acopperbasketonahighstickwithoiledwoodburninginit。Byitslightthechildrensawthatthewallsweregreen，andthattricklesofwaterrandownthemanddrippedfromtheroof。Therewerethingsonthefloorthatlookedlikenewts，andinthedarkcornerscreepy，shinythingsmovedsluggishly，uneasily，horribly。
Robert’sheartsankrightintothosereallyreliablebootsofhis。AntheaandCyrileachhadaprivatestrugglewiththatinsidedisagreeablenesswhichispartofallofus，andwhichissometimescalledtheOldAdam——andbothwerevictors。NeitherofthemsaidtoRobert（andbothtriedhardnoteventothinkit），’ThisisYOURdoing。’Antheahadtheadditionaltemptationtoadd，’Itoldyouso。’Andsheresisteditsuccessfully。
’Sacrilege，andimpiouscheek，’saidthecaptainoftheguardtothegaoler。’TobekeptduringtheKing’spleasure。Iexpecthemeanstogetsomepleasureoutofthemtomorrow！He’llticklethemup！’
’Poorlittlekids，’saidthegaoler。
’Oh，yes，’saidthecaptain。’I’vegotkidsofmyowntoo。Butitdoesn’tdotoletdomesticsentimentinterferewithone’spublicduties。Goodnight。’
Thesoldierstrampedheavilyoffintheirwhiteandredandsteelandgold。Thegaoler，withabunchofbigkeysinhishand，stoodlookingpityinglyatthechildren。Heshookhisheadtwiceandwentout。
’Courage！’saidAnthea。’Iknowitwillbeallright。It’sonlyadreamREALLY，youknow。ItMUSTbe！Idon’tbelieveabouttimebeingonlyasomethingorotherofthought。ItISadream，andwe’reboundtowakeupallrightandsafe。’
’Humph，’saidCyrilbitterly。AndRobertsuddenlysaid——
’It’sallmydoing。IfitreallyISallupdopleasenotkeepadownonmeaboutit，andtellFather——Oh，Iforgot。’
Whathehadforgottenwasthathisfatherwas3，000milesand5，000ormoreyearsawayfromhim。
’Allright，Bobs，oldman，’saidCyril；andAntheagotholdofRobert’shandandsqueezedit。
Thenthegaolercamebackwithaplatterofhard，flatcakesmadeofcoarsegrain，verydifferentfromthecream—and—juicy—datefeastsofthepalace；alsoapitcherofwater。
’There，’hesaid。
’Oh，thankyousoverymuch。YouAREkind，’saidAntheafeverishly。
’Gotosleep，’saidthegaoler，pointingtoaheapofstrawinacorner；’tomorrowcomessoonenough。’
’Oh，dearMrGaoler，’saidAnthea，’whateverwilltheydotoustomorrow？’
’They’lltrytomakeyoutellthings，’saidthegaolergrimly，’andmyadviceisifyou’venothingtotell，makeupsomething。
Thenperhapsthey’llsellyoutotheNorthernnations。RegularsavagesTHEYare。Goodnight。’
’Goodnight，’saidthreetremblingvoices，whichtheirownersstroveinvaintorenderfirm。Thenhewentout，andthethreewereleftaloneinthedamp，dimvault。
’Iknowthelightwon’tlastlong，’saidCyril，lookingattheflickeringbrazier。
’Isitanygood，doyouthink，callingonthenamewhenwehaven’tgotthecharm？’suggestedAnthea。
’Ishouldn’tthinkso。Butwemighttry。’
Sotheytried。Buttheblanksilenceofthedampdungeonremainedunchanged。
’WhatwasthenametheQueensaid？’askedCyrilsuddenly。
’Nisbeth——Nesbit——something？Youknow，theslaveofthegreatnames？’
’Waitasec，’saidRobert，’thoughIdon’tknowwhyyouwantit。
Nusroch——Nisrock——Nisroch——that’sit。’
ThenAntheapulledherselftogether。Allhermusclestightened，andthemusclesofhermindandsoul，ifyoucancallthemthat，tightenedtoo。
’URHEKAUSETCHEH，’shecriedinaferventvoice。’Oh，Nisroch，servantoftheGreatOnes，comeandhelpus！’
Therewasawaitingsilence。Thenacold，bluelightawokeinthecornerwherethestrawwas——andinthelighttheysawcomingtowardsthemastrangeandterriblefigure。Iwon’ttrytodescribeit，becausethedrawingshowsit，exactlyasitwas，andexactlyastheoldBabylonianscarveditontheirstones，sothatyoucanseeitinourownBritishMuseumatthisday。Iwilljustsaythatithadeagle’swingsandaneagle’sheadandthebodyofaman。
Itcametowardsthem，strongandunspeakablyhorrible。
’Oh，goaway，’criedAnthea；butCyrilcried，’No；stay！’
Thecreaturehesitated，thenbowedlowbeforethemonthedampfloorofthedungeon。
’Speak，’itsaid，inaharsh，gratingvoicelikelargerustykeysbeingturnedinlocks。’TheservantoftheGreatOnesisYOUR
servant。WhatisyourneedthatyoucallonthenameofNisroch？’
’Wewanttogohome，’saidRobert。
’No，no，’criedAnthea；’wewanttobewhereJaneis。’
Nisrochraisedhisgreatarmandpointedatthewallofthedungeon。And，ashepointed，thewalldisappeared，andinsteadofthedamp，green，rockysurface，thereshoneandglowedaroomwithrichhangingsofredsilkembroideredwithgoldenwater—lilies，withcushionedcouchesandgreatmirrorsofpolishedsteel；andinitwastheQueen，andbeforeher，onaredpillow，satthePsammead，itsfurhunchedupinanirritated，discontentedway。Onablue—coveredcouchlayJanefastasleep。
’Walkforwardwithoutfear，’saidNisroch。’IsthereaughtelsethattheServantofthegreatNamecandoforthosewhospeakthatname？’
’No——oh，no，’saidCyril。’It’sallrightnow。Thankseverso。’
’Youareadear，’criedAnthea，notintheleastknowingwhatshewassaying。’Oh，thankyouthankyou。ButDOgoNOW！’
Shecaughtthehandofthecreature，anditwascoldandhardinhers，likeahandofstone。
’Goforward，’saidNisroch。Andtheywent。
’Oh，mygoodgracious，’saidtheQueenastheystoodbeforeher。
’Howdidyougethere？IKNEWyouweremagic。Imeanttoletyououtthefirstthinginthemorning，ifIcouldslipaway——butthanksbetoDagon，you’vemanageditforyourselves。Youmustgetaway。I’llwakemychiefladyandsheshallcallRitti—Marduk，andhe’llletyououtthebackway，and——’
’Don’trouseanybodyforgoodness’sake，’saidAnthea，’exceptJane，andI’llrouseher。’
SheshookJanewithenergy，andJaneslowlyawoke。
’Ritti—Mardukbroughttheminhoursago，really，’saidtheQueen，’butIwantedtohavethePsammeadalltomyselfforabit。
You’llexcusethelittlenaturaldeception？——it’spartoftheBabylonishcharacter，don’tyouknow？ButIdon’twantanythingtohappentoyou。Doletmerousesomeone。’
’No，no，no，’saidAntheawithdesperateearnestness。ShethoughtsheknewenoughofwhattheBabylonianswerelikewhentheywereroused。’Wecangobyourownmagic。AndyouwilltelltheKingitwasn’tthegaoler’sfault。ItwasNisroch。’
’Nisroch！’echoedtheQueen。’Youareindeedmagicians。’
Janesatup，blinkingstupidly。
’HoldItup，andsaytheword，’criedCyril，catchingupthePsammead，whichmechanicallybithim，butonlyveryslightly。
’WhichistheEast？’askedJane。
’Behindme，’saidtheQueen。’Why？’
’UrHekauSetcheh，’saidJanesleepily，andheldupthecharm。
Andtheretheyallwereinthedining—roomat300，FitzroyStreet。
’Jane，’criedCyrilwithgreatpresenceofmind，’goandgettheplateofsanddownforthePsammead。’
Janewent。
’Lookhere！’hesaidquickly，asthesoundofherbootsgrewlessloudonthestairs，’don’tlet’stellheraboutthedungeonandallthat。It’llonlyfrightenhersothatshe’llneverwanttogoanywhereelse。’
’Righto！’saidCyril；butAntheafeltthatshecouldnothavesaidawordtosaveherlife。
’Whydidyouwanttocomebackinsuchahurry？’askedJane，returningwiththeplateofsand。’ItwasawfullyjollyinBabylon，Ithink！Ilikeditnoend。’
’Oh，yes，’saidCyrilcarelessly。’Itwasjollyenough，ofcourse，butIthoughtwe’dbeentherelongenough。Motheralwayssaysyououghtn’ttowearoutyourwelcome！’
CHAPTER8
THEQUEENINLONDON
’Nowtelluswhathappenedtoyou，’saidCyriltoJane，whenheandtheothershadtoldherallabouttheQueen’stalkandthebanquet，andthevarietyentertainment，carefullystoppingshortbeforethebeginningofthedungeonpartofthestory。
’Itwasn’tmuchgoodgoing，’saidJane，’ifyoudidn’teventrytogettheAmulet。’
’Wefoundoutitwasnogo，’saidCyril；’it’snottobegotinBabylon。Itwaslostbeforethat。We’llgotosomeotherjollyfriendlyplace，whereeveryoneiskindandpleasant，andlookforitthere。Nowtellusaboutyourpart。’
’Oh，’saidJane，’theQueen’smanwiththesmoothface——whatwashisname？’
’Ritti—Marduk，’saidCyril。
’Yes，’saidJane，’Ritti—Marduk，hecameformejustafterthePsammeadhadbittentheguard—of—the—gate’swife’slittleboy，andhetookmetothePalace。AndwehadsupperwiththenewlittleQueenfromEgypt。Sheisadear——notmucholderthanyou。
ShetoldmeheapsaboutEgypt。Andweplayedballaftersupper。
AndthentheBabylonQueensentforme。Ilikehertoo。AndshetalkedtothePsammeadandIwenttosleep。Andthenyouwokemeup。That’sall。’
ThePsammead，rousedfromitssoundsleep，toldthesamestory。
’But，’itadded，’whatpossessedyoutotellthatQueenthatI
couldgivewishes？Isometimesthinkyouwerebornwithouteventhemostrudimentaryimitationofbrains。’
Thechildrendidnotknowthemeaningofrudimentary，butitsoundedarude，insultingword。
’Idon’tseethatwedidanyharm，’saidCyrilsulkily。
’Oh，no，’saidthePsammeadwithwitheringirony，’notatall！
Ofcoursenot！Quitethecontrary！Exactlyso！Onlyshehappenedtowishthatshemightsoonfindherselfinyourcountry。Andsoonmaymeananymoment。’
’Thenit’syourfault，’saidRobert，’becauseyoumightjustaswellhavemade"soon"meansomemomentnextyearornextcentury。’
’That’swhereyou，assooftenhappens，makethemistake，’
rejoinedtheSand—fairy。’_I_couldn’tmeananythingbutwhatSHEmeantby"soon"。Itwasn’tmywish。AndwhatSHEmeantwasthenexttimetheKinghappenstogooutlionhunting。Soshe’llhaveawholeday，andperhapstwo，todoasshewisheswith。SHE
doesn’tknowabouttimeonlybeingamodeofthought。’
’Well，’saidCyril，withasighofresignation，’wemustdowhatwecantogiveheragoodtime。Shewasjollydecenttous。I
say，supposeweweretogotoStJames’sParkafterdinnerandfeedthoseducksthatweneverdidfeed。AfterallthatBabylonandallthoseyearsago，IfeelasifIshouldliketoseesomethingREAL，andNOW。You’llcome，Psammead？’
’Where’smypricelesswovenbasketofsacredrushes？’askedthePsammeadmorosely。’Ican’tgooutwithnothingon。AndI
won’t，what’smore。’
Andtheneverybodyrememberedwithpainthatthebassbaghad，inthehurryofdeparturefromBabylon，notbeenremembered。
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