But if thou dost break thy oath to him whose salt thou
eatest, then, Eperitus, God or man, thou art a dastard."
"Have I not said that I have no mind so to break mine oath?" he
answered, then sank his head upon his breast and communed with his
crafty heart while Rei watched him. Presently he lifted up his head and
spoke:
"Rei," he said, "I am minded to tell thee a strange story and a true,
for this I see, that our will runs one way, and thou canst help me,
and, in helping me, thyself and Pharaoh to whom I swore an oath, and her
whose honour thou holdest dear. But this I warn thee, Rei, that if thou
dost betray me, not thine age, not thy office, nor the friendship thou
hast shown me, shall save thee."
"Speak on, Odysseus, Laertes' son, Odysseus of Ithaca," said Rei; "may
my life be forfeit if I betray thy counsel, if it harm not those I
serve."
Now the Wanderer started to his feet, crying:
"How knowest thou that name?"
"I know it," said Rei, "and I tell thee that I know it, thou most crafty
of men, to show this, that with me thy guile will not avail thee." For
he would not tell him that he had it from the lips of the Queen.
"Thou hast heard a name that had been in the mouths of many," said the
Wanderer; "perchance it is mine, perchance it is the name of another. It
matters not. Now know this: I fear this Queen of thine.
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