“O Vizier，” said the Tisroc， “is it certain that no living soul knows of this council we three have held here tonight？”
“O my master，” said Ahoshta， “it is not possible that any should know. For that very reason I proposed， and you in your wisdom agreed， that we should meet here in the Old Palace where no council is ever held and none of the household has any occasion to come.”
“It is well，” said the Tisroc. “If any man knew， I would see to it that he died before an hour had passed. And do you also， O prudent Vizier， forget it. I sponge away from my own heart and from yours all knowledge of the Prince’s plans. He is gone without my knowledge or my consent， I know not whither， because of his violence and the rash and disobedient disposition of youth. No man will be more astonished than you and I to hear that Anvard is in his hands.”
“To hear is to obey，” said Ahoshta.
“That is why you will never think even in your secret heart that I am the hardest hearted of fathers who thus send my first.born son on an errand so likely to be his death； pleasing as it must be to you who do not love the Prince. For I see into the bottom of your mind.”
